Thaumastochloa pubescens (Benth.) C.E.Hubb. Hooker's Icon. Pl. t.3312–14:2(1936).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Ophiuros corymbosus var. pubescens Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 512 (1878).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: F. von Mueller s.n., Australia: Hooker's Creek.
Recent synonyms: T. constricta.
Key references (books and floras): [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (309), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Illustrations: [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (311, Pl. 91).
Habit. Annual. Culms 12–30 cm tall, 5–9 -noded. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades linear, flat, 2–9 cm long, 1.5–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a rame (spicate). Rhachis fragile but the lowest internode fused to peduncle.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets represented by barren pedicels. Apical sterile spikelets rudimentary. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren (rarely male), the upper fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, ovate, dorsally compressed, 2–3 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong or ovate, indurate, keeled, 2-keeled, 7–9 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic, coriaceous, without keels. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline.
Fertile lemma without keel, 2 -nerved. Anthers 3.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland.
Western Australia: Dampier. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Burke, Mitchell, North Kennedy, South Kennedy, Cook.
Notes. Low lying damp sandy places in open savanna forests and in disturbed places in northern Australia, extending to New Guinea. Flowers Jan.--Aug.
