Manuscript of Sept. 2005. A number of changes are required to bring the treatments up to date, and it is anticipated this will be done in the next year or so.
FLORA OF AUSTRALIA ANDROPOGONEAE
B.K. SIMON
KEY TO GENERA
1 Spikelets solitary, without any vestigial second
spikelet or pedicel 32.DIMERIA
1: Spikelets paired, sometimes the second spikelet vestigial
3 Spikelets, or one of each pair, bisexual
4 Rachis internode and pedicels slender, sometimes thickened upwards but then the upper lemma awned
5 Pedicelled spikelet similar to the sessile, both fertile
6 Inflorescence a panicle, with elongated central axis
7 Raceme rachis fragile; one spikelet of the pair sessile 1.SACCHARUM
7: Raceme rachis tough; both spikelets pedicelled 3.IMPERATA
6: Inflorescence of single or digitate racemes
8 Inflorescences axillary 7.POGONATHERUM
8: Inflorescence terminal
9 Spikelets in groups of 3,
two sessile and one pedicelled 8. POLYTRIAS
9: Spikelets paired
10 Lower glume concave to grooved along
median line 6.MICROSTEGIUM
10: Lower glume convex to flat, rarely
slightly concave
11 Raceme rachis tough 2.MISCANTHUS
11: Raceme rachis fragile
12 Paired spikelets
unequally pedicelled 5. PSEUDOPOGONATHERUM
12: Paired spikelets with one sessile
and the other pedicelled 4. EULALIA
5: Pedicelled spikelet differing from the sessile in shape and sex or
represented only by the pedicel
13 Sessile spikelet male or sterile, the pedicelled fertile 9. GERMAINIA
13: Sessile spikelet fertile, the pedicelled male,
sterile or suppressed
14 Inflorescence a panicle with an elongated central axis
15: Lower glume of sessile spikelet dorsally compressed
16 Pedicels naked 12.SORGHASTRUM
16: Pedicels all bearing an awnless spikelet
17 Upper glume of sessile spikelet with
long delicate awn 11.CLAUSOSPICULA
17: Upper glume os sessile spikelet
not awned 10.SORGHUM
15: Lower glume of sessile spikelet laterally compressed
18 Racemes of three spikelets, two
pedicelled 14.CHRYSOPOPGON
18: Racemes of several to many
spikelet pairs 13.VETIVERIA
14: Inflorescence of single or digitate racemes
19 Pedicels and internodes with a translucent
median line
20 Inflorescence a compound panicle 16.CAPILLIPEDIUM
20: Inflorescence a simple panicle or
of single or subdigitate racemes 15.BOTHRIOCHLOA
19: Pedicels and internodes without a translucent
median line
21 Lower floret of sessile spikelet male, with a palea
22 Pedicel naked 27.THELEPOGON
22: Pedicel bearing a spikelet
23 Ligule a line of hairs 29.SEHIMA
23: Ligule membranous
24 Sessile spikelet dorsally compressed;
racemes two or more 28.ISCHAEMUM
24: Sessile spikelet laterally compressed;
racemes single 30.APLUDA
21: Lower floret of sessile spikelet sterile, without a palea
25 Upper lemma of sessile spikelet awned
from low down on the back 22.ARTHRAXON
25: Upper lemma of sessile spikelet awned
from tip, rarely awnless
26 Lower glume of sessile spikelet 2-keeled;
callus inserted in hollowed internode tip
27 Racemes single; lower glume of sessile
spikelet ±convex 21.SCHIZACHYRIUM
27: Racemes digitate or paired; lower
glume of sessile spikelet concave or grooved between the keels
28 Racemes usually deflexed at
maturity and borne on subequal
flattened raceme-bases;
leaves aromatic 20.CYMBOPOGON
28: Racemes not deflexed and
borne on unequal terete
raceme-bases 19.ANDROPOGON
26: Lower glume of sessile spikelet convexly rounded
without keels; callus applied obliquely to the internode with its tip free
29 Upper lemma bidentate 23.HYPARRHENIA
29: Upper lemma entire
30 Racemes with homogamous
spikelet pairs at base, forming
an involucre
31 Sessile spikelet terete;
callus pungent 25.THEMEDA
31: Sessile spikelet ± dorsally
compressed; callus blunt 26.ISEILEMA
30: Racemes without homogamous
spikelet pairs at base
32 Sessile spikelet subterete;
callus pungent 24.HETEROPOGON
32: Sessile spikelet dorsally
compressed; callus obtuse
33 Inflorescence spatheate 18.SPATHIA
33: Inflorescence not
spatheate 17.DICHANTHIUM
4: Rachis internodes and pedicels stout, thickening upwards;
upper lemma awnless
34 Pedicels free from internodes
35 Callus of sessile spikelet obtuse to acute with oblique
articulation scar 33.ELIONURUS
35: Callus of sessile spikelet truncate with transverse
articulation reinforced by a central peg
36 Lower glume of sessile spikelet
with non-pectinate margins 35.MNESITHEA
36: Lower glume of sessile spikelet
with pectinate margins 38.EREMOCHLOA
34: Pedicels fused to the internode in some way
37 Pedicelled spikelet present
38 Rachis of raceme tough 34.HEMARTHRIA
38: Rachis of raceme fragile
39 Lower floret male 36.ROTTBOELLIA
39: Lower floret sterile 35.MNESITHEA
37: Pedicelled spikelet absent
40 Peduncle deciduous 39.THAUMASTOCHLOA
40: Peduncle not deciduous 40.OPHIUROS
3: Spikelets unisexual, with male and female spikelets in different
parts of the same inflorescence or in different inflorescences
41: Internode broader than and ± enclosed by female spikelet
42 Racemes of mixed sexes, female below, male above TRIPSACUM+
42: Racemes unisexual 37.ZEA
41: Internode narrower than and ± enclosed by female spikelet
43 Sheaths subtending raceme herbaceous 41.CHIONACHNE
43: Sheaths subtending racemes indurated and forming an indurated utricle round the female spikelet 31.COIX
1. SACCHARUM
Saccharum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 54 (1753); from the Latin saccharum (sugar), alluding to the sweet juice of the culms.
Type: S. officinarum L.
Tufted or rhizomatous perennials, compact, erect from base. Leaf lamina linear, attenuate; ligule a hair fringed membrane. Inflorescence a large terminal, plumose, open panicle; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets lanceolate, paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, homomorphous, enveloped in long silky hairs from callus. Glumes membranous or coriaceous; lower glume 2-keeled, convex on back, acute to acuminate; upper glume acute. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma hyaline, bilobed or entire, with a glabrous awn or awnless; palea absent. Grain narrowly oblong or subglobose. Pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of 35-40 species throughout the tropics and subtropics; two species in Australia including cultivated S. officinarum L., sugarcane.
M.D.Whalen, Taxonomy of Saccharum (Poaceae), Baileya 23: 109-125 (1991).
Saccharum spontaneum L., Mant. Pl. 2: 183 (1771)
T: Malabar, India, C.Koenig s.n.; holo: LINN [LINN 77.1], fide M.D.Whalen, 112, op. cit.
Illustration: C.-C.Hsu, Fl. Taiwan 5: t. 1477 (1978).
Culms 100-400 cm tall, densely tufted, glabrous, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 50-200 cm long, 3-6 mm wide; ligule with a few long auricular hairs, c. 4.5 mm long. Inflorescence 20-25 cm long; racemes 3-15 cm long; internodes shorter than pedicels; peduncles usually hairy. Spikelets 2-3 mm long; lower glume lanceolate, thinly indurated with hyaline apex; upper glume 1-nerved, slightly shorter than lower, linear-lanceolate; lower lemma c. 2.5 mm long, linear-lanceolate, glabrous; upper lemma c. 2 mm long, stipitiform. Fig. 1J-L.
A widespread Old World species occurring from northern tropical Africa, through the eastern Mediterranean to India, China, Japan, SE Asia and Australia (N.T., Qld.) Flowers Jan. and Aug. Map 1.
N.T.: Alligator Point, Daly R., S.T.Blake 16650 (BRI, CANB, K, L, NSW); N Anson Bay, Aug. 1946, C.T.White s.n. (BRI). Qld: Harveys Ck, K.Domin s.n., n.v. (PR).
2. MISCANTHUS
Miscanthus Andersson, Öfvers. Förh. Kongl. Svenska Vetensk.-Akad. 12: 165 (1855); from the Greek miskos (stem) and anthos (flower), alluding to the pedicelled spikelets.
Type: M. capensis (Nees) Andersson
Compactly tufted or rhizomatous perennials, erect from base. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a hair-fringed membrane,short. Inflorescence a large, terminal, plumose, open panicle of subdigitate racemes; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets lanceolate, paired, unequally pedicelled, homomorphous, enveloped in long silky hairs from callus. Glumes thinly coriaceous, similar, flattened or convex, acuminate. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma hyaline, bidentate or entire, with a geniculate or straight glabrous awn; palea conspicuous but short. Grain oblong or lanceolate. Pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of c. 20 species, mainly found in SE Asia, but extending to Africa; represented in Australia by one naturalised species escaped from cultivation.
J.W.Vickery, Miscanthus, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 25-26 (1961).
* Miscanthus sinensis Andersson., Öfvers. Förh. Kongl. Svenska Vetensk.-Akad. 12: 166 (1855)
T: China, F.J.F.Meyen s.n., 1837; holo: B (?lost); iso: [CHECK with K, MO]
Illustration: A.S.Hitchcock, Manual grasses United States, fig. 1127 (1951).
Culms 200-300 cm tall, densely tufted, glabrous, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina to 70 cm long and 2.5 mm wide; ligule c. 3 mm long. Inflorescence 19-24 cm long, with main axis shorter than the racemes; racemes 10-15 cm long; internodes and pedicels both c. 5 mm long, glabrous. Spikelets 4.5-5 mm long, to 1 mm wide; lower glume lanceolate-linear, slightly concave, 2-nerved, 2-keeled, glabrous, reddish-brown; upper glume 3-nerved, as long as lower, hairy towards apex on keels; lower lemma c. 3 mm long, linear, ciliate at apex; upper lemma 1.5-2 mm long, stipitiform, 1-nerved with awn 5-6 mm long. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Eulalia. Fig. 1A-C.
Introduced to Australia where it is naturalised in south-western W.A. and the Blue Mountains, N.S.W. A native of eastern Asia. Flowers Apr. and Dec. Map 2.
W.A.: a few miles S of Armadale on Albany Hwy, Dec. 1966, D.Nicholas s.n. (BRI, PERTH); Armadale, Albany Hwy, R.D.Royce 8410 (PERTH). N.S.W.:near Katoomba, Blue Mtns, C.E.Hubbard 8469 (BRI, K, NSW); Woodford, D.L.W.Henderson f21 (BRI, NSW); Wahroonga, H.Salasoo 949 (NSW).
M. sinensis var. zebrinus Beal is a cultivated variant with the lamina banded or zoned with white.
3. IMPERATA
Imperata Cirillo, Pl. Rar. Neapol. 2: 26 (1792); named in honour of Ferrante Imperato, a Neopolitan apothecary of the sixteenth century. Imperatia Post & Kuntze, Lex.Gen. Phan.298(1912), is an orthographic variant.
Type: I. arundinacea Cirillo (nom.illeg.) = I. cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.
Rhizomatous perennials, erect from base. Leaf lamina linear, attenuate; ligule a ciliate membrane, short. Inflorescence a terminal, spike-like, plumose panicle with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets lanceolate, paired, unequally pedicelled, homomorphous, terete. Glumes membranous, similar, acuminate; lower glume flattened on back. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma lanceolate, hyaline, entire, awnless. Grain ellipsoid, not noticeably compressed. Pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of 8 species found throughout the tropics and extending to warm temperate regions; one species in Australia.
C.E.Hubbard, Imperata cylindrica - taxonomy and distribution, Publication No. 7 of Imperial Agricultural Bureau: 1-13 (1944); C.A.Gardner, Imperata, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 312-314 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Imperata, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 23-25 (1961).
Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch., Nomencl. Bot., 3rd edn., 10 (1797)
Lagurus cylindricus L., Syst. Nat., 10th edn., 2: 878 (1759); Saccharum cylindricum (L.) Lam., Encycl. 1: 594 (1785). T: Europe; holo: LINN 96.2 in LINN.
Imperata arundinacea Cirillo, Pl. Rar. Neopol. 2: 27, fig. 11 (1792). T: Italy, whereabouts uncertain, fide W.D.Clayton, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae, 700 (1982).
Imperata koenigii var. major Nees, Fl. Afr. Austral. Ill. 90 (1841); I. cylindrica var. major (Nees) C.E.Hubb., Grasses of Mauritius and Rodrigues: 96 (1940). T: South Africa, Umgazana to Mzimvubu, J.F.Drege s.n., whereabouts uncertain, fide W.D.Clayton, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae, 700 (1982).
Illustrations: W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae, fig. 159 (1982); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 278 (1983); M.Soerjani, A.J.G.H.Kostermans & G.Tjitrosoepomo, Weeds Rice Indonesia fig. 4.201 (1987), as Imperata cylindrica var. major.
Culms 30-150 cm tall, densely tufted, fibrous at base, simple; nodes conspicuously bearded. Leaf lamina 3-60 cm long, 3-5 mm wide; ligule c. 1.5 mm long. Inflorescence 11-15 cm long. Spikelets 3-6 mm long, to 1 mm wide; callus c. 0.1 mm long. Glumes with long silky hairs; lower glume lanceolate-linear, obscurely 3-nerved, obscurely 3-keeled at apex; upper glume as long as lower, obscurely 5-nerved; lower and upper lemmas linear. Blady Grass. Fig. 1G-I.
Found in all States in wet areas. Throughout the Old World tropics extending to the Mediterranean and Middle East. Flowers Jan.--Dec. Map 3.
W.A.: Eastern Walcott Inlet, A.Milewski 75 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Bagot Springs, P.K.Latz 9450 (BRI, DNA). S.A.: N of Tarpeena on Penola road, I.B.Wilson 714 (AD, CANB, DNA). Qld: 1 km N of Tolga, J.M. de Campo 30 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MO, NSW, PERTH, QRS). N.S.W.: Glen Innes, C.E.Hubbard 8201 (BRI, K, NSW). Vic.: Selby, Dandenong Ra., T.B.Muir 371 (MEL). Tas.: Freers Beach, D.I.Morris 8629 (AD, HO, MEL).
Three varieties have previously been recognised, with the name var. major being applied to the Australian entity. However the varieties intergrade to such a degree that individual specimens are difficult to identify.
4. EULALIA
Eulalia Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 160 (1829); named in honour of Eulalie Delile who illustrated Kunth's Révision des Graminées (1829-1834).
T: E. aurea (Bory) Kunth
Compactly or loosely tufted or rhizomatous perennials, or annuals. Leaf lamina linear, attenuate; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal, racemose, digitate or subdigitate; peduncles hairy; racemes solitary, paired or clustered; internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, homomorphous, lanceolate, dorsally compressed. Glumes coriaceous or cartilaginous, similar; lower glume flattened on back, truncate or notched, shortly awned short or awnless; upper glume truncate. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma or suppressed, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma linear or cordate, hyaline, bifid or bidentate, with a glabrous or hairy awn; callus obtuse, oblong. Pedicels free of the rachis.
A genus of c. 30 species from the Old World tropics; 4 species in Australia, 2 endemic. Usually valuable fodder when young, becoming coarse and rank on maturity.
A.Camus, Eulalia in Notes sur quelques generes de Graminees, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon ser 2, 68: 197-208 (1921); C.A.Gardner, Eulalia, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 314 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Eulalia, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 26-27 (1961).
1 Flowering plant to 2 m with a fulvous
fibrous base 1. E. mackinlayi
1: Flowering plants less than 1.5 m tall; base
not fulvous nor fibrous
2 Racemes more than 5, with pale
brown hairs 2. E. trispicata
2: Racemes less than 5, with dark
brown hairs
3 Plants perennial, rhizomatous and
strongly tufted 3. E. aurea
3: Plants annual, decumbent to
weakly tufted 4. E. annua
1. Eulalia mackinlayi (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 775 (1891)
Pollinia mackinlayi F.Muell. ex Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 527 (1878); Erianthus villosus F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 118 (1873); Eulalia mackinlayi (F.Muell. ex Benth.) S.T.Blake, Austr. J. Bot. 2: 108 (1954). T: Arnhem Land, N.T., J.McKinlay s.n.; holo: MEL (fragment: BRI).
Perennial with culms 140-250 cm tall, densely tufted, fibrous and fulvous hairy at base, simple or rarely branched; nodes glabrous or hairy. Leaf lamina 15-35 cm long, 1-6 mm wide; ligule c. 0.2 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate or digitate; racemes 2-14, with pale to tawny coloured hairs, 30-50-jointed, 10-25 cm long; internodes slightly longer than pedicels, densely villous on margins. Spikelets c. 6 long, c. 1.2 mm wide, lanceolate-linear; callus c. 0.8 mm long; lower glume very narrowly truncate, lanceolate-linear, involute below, coriaceous, ciliate on keels and in furrow towards base, 4-nerved, 2-keeled; upper glume 3-nerved, as long as lower, lanceolate-acute, ciliolate on margins towards apex and back at base; lower lemma c. 5.5 mm long, linear, ciliate at apex; upper lemma c. 3 mm long, linear, shortly 2-lobed, 2-nerved, with awn 24-27 mm long. Anthers c. 3.5 mm long. Fig. 2A-C.
Sandy and rocky soils in tropical Australia north of 15 degrees S. Endemic. Flowers Feb.--July. Map 4.
W.A.: 10 km SE of Mitchell Plateau Mining Camp, A.S.George 14513 (AD, CANB, K, L, MEL, NSW, PERTH). N.T.: Near Brocks Ck, S.T.Blake 16131 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, L, MO, NSW, NOU, NT, PERTH, PRE, SP, SRGH); 12 km N of Pine Ck, C.R.Dunlop 4190 (BRI, DNA); 9 miles NNE of Edith R. siding, M.Lazarides 125 & L.Adams (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, NSW, US). Qld: 37.5 km N of Archer R. crossing on Coen - Weipa road, J.R.Clarkson 8974 & V.J.Neldner (BRI, MBA, NSW).
2. Eulalia trispicata (Schultes) Henrard, Blumea 3: 453 (1940)
Andropogon trispicatus Schultes, Syst. Veg. 2, Mant. 92 (1831); Mant. 2: 452 (1824), based on A. tristacyos Roxb.
A. tristachyos Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 261 (1820) non Kunth (1816); Pollinia tristachya (Roxb.)Thw., Enum. Ceyl. Pl. 368 (1864); Erianthus roxburghii F. Muell., Fragm. 8: 117 (1873). T: India, Roxburgh illustration at K (Photo BRI).
Eulalia argentea Brongn. in Duperr., Voy. Coquille Bot. 2(2): 92 (1831); Pollinia argentea (Brongn.) Trin., Bull. Acad. Sci. Petersb. 1: 71 (1836); T: Bourou, Moluccas, d'Urville s.n.; syn: P (photo BRI); Amboina, Moluccas, d'Urville s.n.; syn: P (photo BRI).
Pollinia argentea var. queenslandica Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85:259 (1915). T: Picnic Hill, near Yarraba, Qld, Jan 1910, K.Domin s.n., holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (fragment NSW).
Illustration: E.Blatter & C.McCann, The Bombay Grasses t. 35 (1935) as Eulalia argentea.
Perennial with culms 50-130 cm tall, densely tufted, glabrous, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 4-35 cm long, 1-4 mm wide; ligule c. 0.1 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate; racemes 2-8, with pale to tawny coloured hairs, 30-50 cm long; internodes 1.6-1.8 mm long, slightly longer than pedicels, densely villous on margins. Spikelets c. 4 long, 0.8 mm wide, linear-elliptic to lanceolate; callus c. 0.4 mm long; lower glume very narrowly truncate, lanceolate-linear, ciliate on keels, reddish-brown, indistinctly 3-nerved, 2-keeled; upper glume 3-nerved, as long as lower, ovate-acute, slightly hairy towards apex on keels; lower lemma to 3 mm long, linear, glabrous; upper lemma c. 1.5 mm long, linear, bifid for 1/3-½ of length, with awn 11-13 mm long. Fig. 2G-I.
Coastal sandy soils of southern and northern Qld, extending through New Guinea, Malesia and SE Asia to Sri Lanka. Flowers Dec.--July. Map 5.
Qld: Daintree R., L.J.Brass 2357 (BRI); Mt. Malloy-Mossman road, 11 km from Mt. Malloy, B.K.Simon 2671, J.R.Clarkson & I.B.Staples (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); 13 km E of Cooroy on Tewantin road, S.Jacobs 2503 & A.Rodd (BRI, NSW); 2 km N of Coolum, P.R.Sharpe 1235 (BRI); Glass House Mtns, C.E.Hubbard 3336 (BRI, K.)
3. Eulalia aurea (Bory) Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1: 359 (1830)
Andropogon aureum Bory, Voyage 1: 367, t.21 (1804); Pogonatherum aureum (Bory) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 391 (1960). T: Reunion, J.B.G.M.Bory de Saint-Vincent s.n.; holo: P (photo BRI).
Saccharum fulvum R.Br., Prodr. 203 (1810); Erianthus fulvus (R.Br.) Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1: 160 (1829); Pollinia fulva (R.Br.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 526 (1878); Eulalia fulva (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 775 (1891). T: "Island c" [Allen Is.], Carpentaria, Qld, 19 Nov. 1802, R.Brown [6186]; lecto, here chosen: BM (photo BRI, K); isolecto: K (photo BRI).
Pollinia fulva var. savannorum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 258 (1915). T: Cloncurry, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Pollinia fulva var. deserticola Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 258 (1915). T: Cloncurry, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Eulalia geniculata Stapf, Fl. Trop. Africa 9:101 (1917). T: Chisangwe, Zaire, Homble 42; syn: K; Harare [Salisbury], Zimbabwe, Craster 18; syn; K and F.A.Rogers 4088; syn; K; Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, F.Eyles 1137; syn; K.
Illustrations: F.Turner in Australian Grasses 1: 47 (1895) as Pollinia fulva; R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley Region W. Australia t. 60 (1983) as Eulalia fulva; J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 244 (1983) as Eulalia fulva
Rhizomatous perennial with culms 40-130 cm tall, loosely tufted, hairy at base, branched; nodes glabrous or hairy. Leaf lamina 4-30 cm long, 2-4 mm wide; ligule 0.5-0.8 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate or digitate; racemes 2-5, with dark brown hairs, 12-40-jointed, 4-10 cm long; internodes and pedicels the same length, densely fulvous, c. 3 mm long. Spikelets lanceolate-linear, c. 5 mm long, 1 mm wide; callus c. 0.5 mm long; lower glume very narrowly truncate, lanceolate-linear, rounded on back, coriaceous, with long fulvous hairs on lower half on back, reddish-brown, 5-nerved (faint); upper glume 3-nerved (faint), slightly longer than lower, linear-lanceolate, thinly fulvous on back; lower lemma absent; upper lemma c. 1.5 mm long, linear, bifid for 1/3-½ of length, with awn 10-12 mm long. Silky Browntop.
Found in all mainland states in drier parts, although mainly in the subtropics and tropics. Also in tropical southern Africa and Réunion. Flowers Nov.--Sept. Map 6.
W.A.: Mangrove Point, Carnarvon, J.H.Ross 2691 (AD, BRI, MEL, NSW, PERTH). N.T.: Yeundumu Reserve, P.K.Latz 1977 (CANB, DNA, PERTH). S.A.: Turner Hill, 190 km S of Ernabella Stn, May 1891, R.Helms s.n. (AD, BRI). Qld: Bribie Is., C.E.Hubbard 2663 (BRI, K, MEL). N.S.W.: 5.6 km NNE of Grenfell on Gooloogong road, R.Coveny 12078 & P.Hind (BRI, NSW). Vic.: Murray R., between Yarrawonga and Cobram, H.Aston 2203 (BRI, MEL).
4. Eulalia annua B.K. Simon, Austrobaileya 3:84 (1989)
T: 7 km N of North Kennedy R. on Peninsula Development Rd, 28 Apr. 1983, J.R.Clarkson 4802; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, K, MBA, NSW, QRS.
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit., fig. 2 (1989).
Annual with culms 10-45 cm tall, decumbent to weakly tufted, glabrous, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 3-7 cm long, 1-3 mm wide; ligule c. 1 m long. Inflorescence subdigitate or digitate; racemes 2-3, with dark brown hairs, 7-20-jointed, 1.5-4 cm long; internodes and pedicels the same length, densely fulvous, c. 1.8 mm long. Spikelets 2.5-3 long, to 0.6 mm wide, lanceolate-linear; callus c. 0.3 mm long; lower glume very narrowly truncate, lanceolate-linear, rounded on back, with long fulvous hairs on lower half on back, especially towards tip, reddish-brown, faintly 5-nerved; upper glume faintly 3-nerved, as long as lower, linear-lanceolate, thinly fulvous on back; lower lemma absent; upper lemma c. 0.5 mm long, stipitiform, with awn 18-20 mm long. Fig. 2D-F.
Sandy soil of Eucalyptus spp./Melaleuca spp. savanna woodland in northern NT and Cape York Peninsular, Qld. Flowers Apr.--May. Map 7.
N.T.: Munmarlary, C.R.Dunlop 4805 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, NSW); Kakadu Natl Park, M.Lazarides 8842 (CANB, MEL, NSW); Hemple Bay, Groot Eylandt, R.L.Specht 384 (BRI, MEL, NSW, PERTH). Qld: York Downs, A.Morton 1209 (BRI, MEL); Cowal Ck crossing between Bamaga and Jardine R., J.L.Alcorn 8172 (BRI).
5. PSEUDOPOGONATHERUM
Pseudopogonatherum A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon. n.s. 68: 204 (1921); from the Greek pseudo (false) and pogonatherum, alluding to the similarity to the genus Pogonatherum.
Type: P. irritans (R.Br.) A.Camus
Loosely tufted annuals. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a short hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence terminal, digitate or subdigitate; racemes clustered with internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets lanceolate, paired, both pedicelled, one shortly the other longer, homomorphous, dorsally compressed. Glumes rigidly herbaceous, very dissimilar; lower glume 2-keeled, convex or flattened on back, notched; upper glume truncate, awned. Lower floret reduced to a minute membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, membranous, entire with a hairy geniculate awn; callus pungent. Grain dorsally compressed; pedicels free of the rachis.
A genus of 3 species from India to Australia; 2 species in Australia.
A.Camus, Pseudopogonatherum, in Notes sur quelques genres de Graminees, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon n.s. 68: 197-208 (1921); N.L.Bor, Pseudopogonatherum, in Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan 204-205 (1960); M.Lazarides, Pseudopogonatherum, in The tropical grasses of Southeast Asia, 65 (1980).
Spikelets (without awns) c. 2 mm long 1. P. contortum
Spikelets (without awns) 4-5 mm long 2. P. irritans
1. Pseudopogonatherum contortum (Brongn.) A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon n.s. 68: 205 (1921)
Pogonatherum contortum Brongn. in Duperr., Voy. Coq. Bot. 90, t. 17 (1831); Eulalia contorta (Brongn.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 775 (1891); Pollinia articulata Trin., Mem. Acad. Sci. Petersb. ser. 6,2: 273 (1832); Erianthus articulatus (Trin.) F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 118 (1873). T: Bourou, Moluccas Is., d'Urville s.n.; holo: P (photo BRI).
Pollinia articulata var. minor Benth., Fl. Austr. 7: 525 (1878). T: Rockingham Bay, Dallachy s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI).
Pollinia collina Balansa in Morot, J. Bot. 4: 81 (1890); Pseudopogonatherum collinum (Balansa) A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, n. s. 68: 206 (1921). T: Tonkin, B.Balansa 1771; holo: P, n.v. (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI).
Culms 30-110 cm tall, glabrous, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 30 cm long, to 5 mm wide; ligule c. 1 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate, racemes 3-7 cm long and with pale to tawny coloured hairs; internodes slightly hairy on margins, c. 2 mm long. Spikelets c. 2 long, to 0.75 mm wide; lower glume bidentate, slightly concave, membranous to thinly chartaceous, hairy on back towards apex and at base on sides, reddish-brown, obscurely 2-nerved, 2-keeled; upper glume obscurely 3-nerved, as long as lower, with an awn c. 5.5 mm long; lower lemma linear; upper lemma c. 1.5 mm long, stipitiform, with an awn c. 15 mm long. Fig. 3I-L.
Occurs sporadically in savanna and heath in northern W.A., N.T. and Qld; also in Malesia, China, Burma and India. Flowers Feb.--July. Oct. & Dec. Map 8.
W.A.: Dog Leg Swamp, Mitchell Plateau, K.F.Kenneally 6742 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.:7.4 km W of Mathison Ck, M.H.Andrew 516 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: 30 km N of Mareeba, B.K.Simon 2652, J.R.Clarkson & I.B.Staples (BRI, CANB, K); 4 km from Corinda on Westmoreland road, B.K.Simon 3103 & T.Farrell (BRI, CANB, K); Townsville, S.T.Blake 15757 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB, K, MO NOU, PERTH, SP).
2. Pseudopogonatherum irritans (R.Br.) A. Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, n.s. 68: 205 (1921)
Saccharum irritans R.Br., Prodr. 203 (1810); Erianthus irritans (R.Br.) F. Muell., Fragm. 8: 118 (1873); Pollinia irritans (R..Br.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 525 (1878). T: R.Brown [6187], holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI).
Illustration: J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland, 358 (1983).
Culms 50-150 cm tall, glabrous, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 15-30 cm long, 1-3 mm wide; ligule c. 0.3 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate, racemes 3.5-6 cm long, with white hairs; internodes 2-2.5 mm long, with a few long white hairs towards apex. Spikelets 4-5 long, to 0.5 mm wide; callus c. 0.5 mm long; lower glume bidentate, lanceolate-linear, rounded on back, hairy all over, reddish-brown, 2-nerved, obscurely 2-keeled; upper glume 3-nerved, as long as lower, hairy on back with an awn c. 8 mm long; lower lemma c. 1.5 mm long, triangular-ovate; upper lemma c. 2.5 mm long, stipitiform, with an awn 40-44 mm long. Grain c. 2 mm long.
Occurs sporadically in savanna and heath in northern W.A., N.T. and Qld and extends to New Guinea, Malesia and Burma. Flowers Dec.--July. Map 9.
W.A.: Drysdale River Stn, I.R.Telford 6090 (CBG, NSW, PERTH). N.T.: Kapalga, R.Collins BC 364 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K); Bickerton Is., Gulf of Carpentaria, R.L.Specht 528 (AD, BRI, MEL). Qld: 9 km from Koolburra on track S from Koolburra to Kimba road, J.R.Clarkson 3698 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, US); York Downs, Myall Ck, A.Morton 1188 (BRI, MEL); near Yeppoon, S.T.Blake 19962 (BRI, CANB).
6. MICROSTEGIUM
Microstegium Nees in Lindley, Nat. Syst. 2nd edn., 2: 447 (1836); from the Greek micros (small) and stege (cover), alluding to the small upper floret.
Type: M. willdenowianum Nees = M. vimineum (Trin.) A.Camus
Loosely tufted or decumbent annuals. Leaf lamina linear-lanceolate, acute or attenuate; ligule a hair fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal, racemose, subdigitate; racemes solitary, paired or clustered, with homogamous spikelets at base and with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, homomorphous, narrowly lanceolate, dorsally compressed. Glumes cartilaginous or rigidly herbaceous, similar; lower glume concave or sulcate on back, acute or notched, awned; upper glume acute. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma or suppressed. Upper floret bisexual; lemma hyaline, bifid or bidentate with a geniculate glabrous awn; callus obtuse. Grain narrowly ellipsoid or lanceolate, dorsally compressed; pedicels free of rachis.
An Old World genus of c. 15 species, centred in tropical Asia; 1 species in Australia.
A.Camus. Microstegium in Notes sur quelques generes de Graminees, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon ser 2, 68: 197-208 (1921); N.L.Bor, Notes on Asiatic grasses: V. The genus Microstegium in India and Burma, Kew Bull. 7: 209-223 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Microstegium, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 27-28 (1961).
Microstegium nudum (Trin.) A.Camus in Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon ser 2, 68: 201 (1921)
Pollinia nuda Trin. in Mem. Acad. Sci. Petersb. ser. 6: 2: 307 (1832); Eulalia nuda (Trin.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 775 (1891). T: Nepal, N.Wallich 8831; holo: LE, n.v. :iso: K (photo BRI).
Psilopogon capensis Hochst., Flora 29: 117 (1846); Eulalia capensis (Hochst.) Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 412 (1855); Pollinia nuda Trin. var. capensis (Hochst.) Hack. in DC., Monogr. Phan. 6: 179 (1889); Microstegium capense (Hochst.) A.Camus in Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon ser 2, 68: 201 (1921). T: South Africa, Krause 92; holo: TUB, n.v.
Illustrations: D. Meredith, Grasses and Pastures of South Africa, fig. 397 as M. capense; C.-C.Hsu, Taiwan Grasses pl.261 (1975).
Culms to 50 cm tall, glabrous, branching from lower nodes; nodes hairy. Leaf lamina to 6 cm long, 4-8 mm wide; ligule a hair fringed membrane, c. 0.5 mm long. Racemes 3-6, 2-6 cm long; internodes twice as long as pedicels, glabrous, 4-7 mm long. Spikelets 3-4.5 long, to 0.75 mm wide; lower glume narrowly truncate, narrowly obtuse or bidentate, lanceolate, slightly concave, glabrous, obscurely 4-nerved, 2-keeled; upper glume 3-nerved, slightly shorter than lower, acuminate, glabrous; lower lemma to 3 mm long, linear, hyaline; upper lemma 1.5-2.5 mm long, stipitiform, with awn 10-18 mm long. Grain to 2 mm long. Fig. 1. D-F.
Rainforest clearings and shady places in central N.S.W. and northern Qld, extending through SE Asia to Africa. It has been suggested the species is naturalised in Australia but herbarium label information indicates it is probably native. Flowers Jan. & Mar.--Jun. Map 10.
Qld: Bailey's Ck near Mossman, Jun. 1954, W.W.Bailey s.n. (BRI); N.S.W.: Banks of Upper Manning R., S.Jacobs 559 (BRI, NSW); Upper Williams R., May 1933, J.W.Vickery s.n. (BRI, NSW); Spring Gully Ck, Hornsby, Jan 1914, W.F.Blakely s.n.(BRI, NSW); upper Chichester R., June 1975, J.W.Vickery s.n. (NSW).
7. POGONATHERUM
Pogonatherum P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr.: 56 (1812); from the Greek pogon (beard) and ather (awn), alluding to the hairy awns.
Type: P. saccharoideum P. Beauv. = P. paniceum (Lam.) Hackel
Compactly or loosely tufted perennials, geniculate at lower nodes or erect from base. Leaf lamina linear, attenuate; ligule an hair fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence axillary, contracted; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous, linear-lanceolate, laterally compressed, enveloped in long silky hairs from callus; callus obtuse. Glumes slightly dissimilar; lower glume hyaline, 2-keeled; flattened on the back, truncate; upper glume hyaline, boat shaped, acuminate, awned. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma or rarely suppressed, male. Upper floret bisexual; lemma hyaline, bifid; with a straight glabrous awn; palea absent. Grain not compressed; pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of 2 species tropical Asia to Australia; 1 species in Australia. P. crinitum is often grown as an ornamental.
F.M.Bailey, Pogonatherum in The Qld Flora 6: 1856 (1902); A.Chase, Pogonatherum Beauv. in J. Arn. Arboret. 31: 130-132 (1950); P.Jansen, Pogonatherum in Notes on Malaysian grasses 1, Reinwardtia 2: 225-350 (1953).
Pogonatherum crinitum (Thunb.) Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1: 478 (1833)
Andropogon crinitus Thunb., Fl. Jap. 40, t. 7 (1784). T: Japan, C.P.Thunberg s.n.;holo: UPS (photo BRI, K).
Saccharum paniceum Lam., Encycl. 1: 595 (1785); Pogonatherum saccharoideum P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 176, 177 (1812); P. paniceum (Lam.) Hack. in Allg. Bot. Zeitschr. 12: 178 (1906). T: `Indes orientales', M. Sonnerat s.n.; holo: P, n.v.
Illustrations: C.Kunth, Révis. Gramin. t. 161, 162 (1829) as P. saccharoideum; C.-C.Hsu, Taiwan Grasses pl. 270 and pl. 271 (1975) as P. paniceum); H.B.Gilliland, Grasses of Malaya, fig. 55, (1971) as P. paniceum.
Culms 15-50 cm tall, densely tufted, glabrous, much branched; nodes hairy. Leaf lamina to 7 cm long, 3 mm wide; ligule c. 0.3 mm long. Inflorescence a single raceme, 2-3 cm long, silvery with tawny coloured awns; internodes slightly longer than pedicels, with a few long white hairs towards apex, 1-1.5 mm long. Spikelets 2-2.8 mm long, 0.5-0.8 mm wide; lower glume narrowly truncate, rounded on back, coriaceous, hairy at apex, 2-nerved; upper glume 1-nerved, as long as lower, lanceolate-acute, setose at base with awn 17-20 mm long; lower lemma to 1.3 mm long, oblong, setose at apex; upper lemma c. 2.3 mm long, linear, bifid for 1/3-½ of length, 1-nerved, bifid with linear lobes and awn 24-27 mm long. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Bamboo Grass. Fig. 3E-H.
Growing in damp rocky situations from northern coastal Qld through SE Asia to Sri Lanka. Flowers Oct.--Nov. Map 11.
Qld: Crystal Cascades, 8 miles SW of Cairns, R.D.Hoogland 8545 (BRI, CANB); Atherton Ck, 2 km W of Mareeba, J.R.Clarkson 9741 (BRI, DNA, K, L, MEL, NSW, PERTH); Mt. Bartle Frere, S.T.Blake 9806 (BRI); Roots Ck, Mt. Spurgeon, C.T.White 10603 (BRI); W of Ingham, near Wallaman Falls, S.T.Blake 18819 (BRI).
8. POLYTRIAS
Polytrias Hack. in Engl. & Prantl, Nat. Pfl.-Fam. 2, 2: 24 (1887); from the Greek poly (many) and trias (in threes), alluding to the raceme of spikelets arranged in groups of three.
Eulalia Kunth sect. Polytrias Pilg. in Engl. & Prantl, Nat. Pfl.-Fam., ed.2, 14e: 120, t. 69 (1940)
Eulalia Kunth subgen. Polytrias Ohwi, Bull. Tokyo Sc. Mus. 18: 2 (1947)
Type: P. praemorsa (Steud.) Hack. = P. indica (Houtt.) Veldk.
Stoloniferous perennials. Leaf lamina linear-lanceolate, attenuate, subcordate; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal, contracted; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets in threes, 2 sessile and 1 pedicelled, homomorphous. Glumes oblong-ovate, cartilaginous, very dissimilar; lower glume 2-keeled, flattened on back, truncate; upper glume truncate. Lower floret suppressed. Upper floret bisexual; lemma cordate, hyaline, bilobed, with a geniculate hairy awn; pedicels free of rachis.
A monotypic genus from Burma to China and Australia. It has been reported as a lawn grass (not in Australia), but usually occurs as a weed.
N.L.Bor, Polytrias in Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan, 202-203 (1960); H.B.Gilliland, Polytrias in Grasses of Malaya, 244-246 (1972); M.Lazarides, Polytrias in The tropical grasses of Southeast Asia, 63-64 (1980); J.E.Veldkamp, Polytrias in Blumea 36:180-81 (1991).
Polytrias indica (Houtt.) Veldk., Blumea 36: 180 (1991)
Phleum indicum Houtt., Nat. Hist. II, 13: 198, t. 90, f. 2. (1782) T: Java, M. Houttuyn s.n.; holo: G, n.v.
Polytrias diversiflora (Steud.) Nash, Torreya 5: 110 (1905); Andropogon diversiflorus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 370 (July, 1854); A. amaurus Buse in Miq., Pl. Junghn. 360 (Aug. 1854); Polytrias amaura (Buse) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 788 (1891); T: Java, Zollinger 539; holo: P (photo BRI); iso: L, n.v.
Pollinia praemorsa Nees ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 409 (Nov. 1854); Polytrias praemorsa (Nees ex Steud.) Hack. in Engl. & Prantl, Nat. Pfl.-Fam. 2,2: 24 (1887); Eulalia praemorsa (Nees ex Steud.) Stapf ex Ridley, Fl. Mal. Pen. 5: 197 (1925). T: `Java', holo not found in P, fide Veldkamp in Blumea 36:180 (1991).
Illustrations: H.B.Gilliland, op. cit., fig. 53 (1972) as Polytrias amaura; M.Soerjani, A.J.G.H.Kostermans & G.Tjitrosoepomo, Weeds Rice Indonesia fig. 4.218 (1987) as Polytrias amaura.
Culms 15-40 cm tall, glabrous, much branched; nodes hairy. Leaf lamina 2.5-7 cm long, 2-4 mm wide; ligule c. 0.2 mm long. Inflorescence a single raceme, 3-7 cm long, with dark brown hairs; internodes and pedicels the same length, densely villous on margins, 2.5-3 mm long. Spikelets dorsally compressed, 3-4 mm long, to 0.8 mm wide; lower glume truncate, lanceolate, flat on back, thinly coriaceous, hairy all over, obscurely 4-nerved; upper glume 3-nerved, slightly shorter, ovate-acute, ciliolate on margins towards apex and back at base; lower lemma absent; upper lemma stipitiform, 0.7-1 mm long, 1-nerved, bilobed, the shoulders each with a short hyaline tooth and awn 8-11 mm long. Anthers 2-2.5 mm long. Java Grass. Fig. 3A-D.
Malesia to Qld. The three Australian collections are from the South Johnson Research Station, Qld and it may be assumed they are naturalised introductions but for a note on one of the specimens which mentions that the grass has been seen on "more secluded areas of Palmerston". Pan-tropically introduced and escaping. Used as a drought resistant lawn grass. Flowers Apr.--Jun. & August. Map 12.
Qld: South Johnson Research Station, May 1938, R.Langdon (BRI), Jun 1945, T.G.Graham (BRI), Aug. 1969, B.Grof (BRI).
9. GERMAINIA
Germainia Bal. & Poitrasson, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Toulouse 7: 344 (1873); named after R. Germain, collector of the type specimen of G. capitata.
Type: G. capitata Bal. & Poitr.
Sclerandrium Stapf and C.E.Hubb. in Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 33. t. 3262 (1935) T: S. truncatiglume (F.Muell.) Stapf & C.E.Hubb.
Compactly tufted perennials, erect from base. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal, digitate or subdigitate, sometimes much suppressed; racemes solitary or paired with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, sometimes basal pairs reduced to sessile spikelets, forming an involucre, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets oblong, dorsally compressed. Glumes unequal, the upper longer, very dissimilar; lower glume membranous or coriaceous, convex or flattened on back, truncate; upper glume flattened on back, acuminate. Lower floret male; lemma hyaline, lanceolate or linear; palea hyaline. Upper floret male; lemma hyaline, entire; palea membranous. Grain oblong. Pedicelled spikelets smaller than sessile spikelets, bisexual, lanceolate, awned, pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of 9 species from India to Australia; 3 species in Australia, 1 endemic.
C.E.Hubbard, Sclerandrium in Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 33. t. 3262 (1935); C.A.Gardner, Sclerandrium in Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 302-303 (1952); Chumsri Chai-Anan, Germainia in Thai Forest Bull. (Botany) 6: 29-47 (1972).
1 Lower glume of the sessile spikelet 3-4.5 mm long; awn up to 2.5 cm long 1. G. truncatiglumis
1: Lower glume of the sessile spikelet more than 6 mm long; awn more than 2.5 cm long
2 Raceme one, on an extremely shortened rachis 2. G. capitata
2: Racemes 2-4, subdigitate to digitate, with each on a well developed rachis 3. G. grandiflora
1. Germainia truncatiglumis (F.Muell. ex Benth.) Chai-Anan, Thai Forest Bull. (Botany) 6: 45 (1972)
Ischaemum truncatiglumis F.Muell. ex Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 518 (1878); Lophopogon truncatiglumis (F.Muell. ex Benth.) Hack. in DC. Monograph. 6:255 (1889); Sclerandrium truncatiglume (F.Muell. ex Benth.) Stapf & C.E.Hubb. in Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 33. t. 3262 (1935); Apocopsis tridentatus (Roxb.) Benth. var. truncatiglumis (F.Muell. ex Benth.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 327 (1960). T: Arnhem Land, N.T., F.Mueller s.n.; holo: MEL (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.E.Hubbard, loc. cit., as Sclerandrium truncatiglume; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 88B (1952), as Sclerandrium truncatiglume.
Culms 55-150 cm tall, densely tufted, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 10-50 cm long, 2-10 mm wide; ligule 1-2 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate, with axis 5-10 mm long; racemes 3-6, 5-12 cm, without basal spikelets, internodes longer than pedicels, with ciliate margins, 2.5-3 mm long. Sessile spikelets oblong to obovate-oblong; lower glume 3-4.5 mm long, 1.2-3 mm wide, obliquely truncate, obovate-oblong, rounded on back, coriaceous, pilose on margins, 7-nerved; upper glume 5-6.5 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, pilose at margins and apex, 3-nerved; lower lemma 3.5-5.2 mm long, lanceolate, membranous; lower palea 4-5.5 mm long; upper lemma 2.5-5 mm long; upper palea 3.5-5 mm long. Anthers c. 2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-3.6 mm long, narrowly lanceolate; lower glume 3-nerved, pilose at margins and apex; upper glume subequal, glabrous; lower lemma ovate, c. 3 mm long; upper lemma c. 2 mm long, strap-like, with awn 14 mm long; upper palea 2 mm long. Fig. 4G-H.
Occurs in wet areas of sandy savanna country of northern N.T. and W.A. extending to New Guinea. Flowers July--Oct. Map 13.
W.A.: North Kimberley, M.Lazarides 4869 (BRI, CANB, PERTH); Bongaree Is., P.G.Wilson 11356 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: W of Pine Ck, S.T.Blake 17287 (BRI, MEL, NSW); Edith Falls, D.E.Symon 5126 (AD, CANB, K, DNA); Hayes Ck, P.A.Latz 3745 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MO).
2. Germainia capitata Bal. & Poitrasson, Bull. Soc. Nat. Toulouse 7: 344 (1873)
T: Saigon, Vietnam, R.Germain s.n.; holo: L 908,83-679 in L (photo BRI).
Anthistiria flosculosa F.Muell., Fragment. 10: 75 (1876); Germainia flosculosa (F.Muell.) C.E.Hubb., Bull. Misc. Inf. 1934: 445 (1934). T: Gladstone, Qld, C.Moore s.n.; holo: MEL (photo BRI); iso: K (leaf only) (photo BRI).
Culms 30-90 cm tall, densely tufted, simple; nodes glabrous or with silky appressed hairs. Leaf lamina 7-30 cm, 3-6 mm wide; ligule c. 1.5 mm long. Inflorescence single; racemes 1, 3-4-jointed, 2-3 cm long, with at least 5 basal spikelets forming involucre, internodes longer than pedicels, glabrous, c. 7 mm long. Sessile spikelets elliptic-rectangular; lower glume 13-22 mm long, 3-4.5 mm wide, obliquely truncate, rectangular, rounded on back, indurated, glabrous, 7-9-nerved; upper glume 3-nerved, slightly longer than lower, lanceolate-acute, glabrous, 3-nerved; lower lemma and palea slightly shorter than glumes, linear, hyaline; upper lemma and palea 15-20 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 8-14 mm long, linear-lanceolate; lower glume 3-nerved, glabrous; upper glume a little shorter; upper lemma strap-like, with awn 7 mm long; upper palea c. 5 mm long. Fig. 4A-C.
Grows in open Eucalyptus and Melaleuca woodland, only in a limited area NW of Bundaberg, Gladstone and Badu and Moa Is.. Extends to New Guinea and in Malaya, Thailand, Vietnam and south China. Flowers Jan.--Mar. Map 14.
Qld: 1.5 km WNW of St. Pauls, Moa Is., J.R.Clarkson 7753 (BRI, DNA, K, MBA, NSW); Badu Is., S.T.Garnett 319 (BRI); 3 km S of Fernfield Plantation, Broadwater Ck, c. 80 km NW of Bundaberg, P.R.Sharpe 2264 & R.Dowling (BRI); Deepwater Ck Fauna Reserve, c. 70 km NW of Bundaberg, P.R.Sharpe 2660 & J.A.Elsol (AD, B, BO, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, MO, NOU, PERTH, PRE, SP, SRGH, US), K.L.Wilson 3783 & P.R.Sharpe (NSW).
3. Germainia grandiflora (S.T.Blake) Chai-Anan, Thai Forest Bull., Bot.6: 44 (1972)
Sclerandrium grandiflorum S.T.Blake, Austral. J. Bot. 2: 108 (1954). T: Near Hayes Ck, 13° 37'S 131° 26'E, N.T., 10 July 1946, S.T.Blake 16405; holo: BRI; iso: CANB.
Illustration: S.T.Blake, loc. cit., fig. 1 as Sclerandrium grandiflorum.
Culms 30-80 cm tall, densely tufted, simple; nodes with silky appressed hairs. Leaf lamina 10-30 cm, 2-4 mm wide; ligule c. 1 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate or digitate; racemes 2-4, 4-7 cm, without basal spikelets; internodes longer than pedicels, sparsely ciliate, c. 3 mm long. Sessile spikelets narrowly suboblong; lower glume 6-10 mm long, 1.8-2.2 mm wide, 2-3 dentate, obovate-oblong, flat or slighty rounded on back, coriaceous, glabrous, 8-nerved; upper glume 3-nerved, longer, ovate-lanceolate, glabrous, 3-nerved; lower lemma 6-9.5 mm long, oblong, membranous; lower palea 4.5-11 mm long, membranous; upper lemma and palea similar in length to lower lemma and palea; anthers c. 4 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5-7 mm long, linear-lanceolate; lower glume 5-nerved, pilose at margins and apex. Upper glume 2/3 as long; lower lemma absent; upper lemma c. 2 mm long, strap-like, with awn 30-40 mm long; upper palea c. 3.5 mm long. Fig. 4D-F.
Grows in sandy soil in wet areas in Eucalyptus and Melaleuca savannas in tropical N.T. and Qld. Flowers Sept.--Feb. & May--Jul. Map 15.
N.T.: S of mouth of Daly R., S.T.Blake 16539 (BRI, CANB); 20 m E of Goyder R. crossing, P.A.Latz 2822 (BRI, CANB, DNA); ca. 34 miles SE of Mudginberry H.S., M.Lazarides 7802 (BRI, CANB, NSW); Deaf Adder Gorge, C.Dunlop 4452 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K). Qld: Near Cooktown, S.T.Blake 21874 (BRI, CANB, NSW).
10. SORGHUM
Sorghum Moench, Methodus 207 (1794), nom. cons. ; the Indian name for this genus.
Type: S. bicolor (L.) Moench
Annuals or perennials (usually rhizomatous), erect from base. Leaf lamina flat, scabrous, linear, attenuate; ligule a glabrous, scaberulous or hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence a large, terminal panicle; branches semi-whorled or whorled; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels hairy and slender. Spikelets paired, with at least one pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets dorsally compressed. Glumes ± equal, slightly dissimilar, glabrous to hairy; lower glume sometimes clasping margins of upper glume, lanceolate, convex on back; upper glume lanceolate, boat shaped, obtuse or muticous, smooth, keeled. Lower floret reduced to lemma or with a minute palea, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma half the spikelet length linear, bilobed, awned with a geniculate or hairy awn or rarely awnless; palea somewhat shorter. Grain oblong or obovoid, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets similar in shape to sessile spikelets, male or sterile, or suppressed or rudimentary, awnless; pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of about 31 species in the tropics and subtropics of the Old World; 16 species and one variety native to tropical and warm-temperate Australia, with 6 species introduced; 14 species and the variety are Australian endemics, chiefly of the monsoon region.
E.D.Garber, Cytotaxonomic studies in the genus Sorghum. Univ. Calif. Pub. Bot. 23: 283-362 (1950); E.D.Garber & Snyder, Cytotaxonomic studies in the genus Sorghum. II. Two new species from Australia. Madroño XI:6-10 (1951); C.A.Gardner, Sorghum, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 314-320 (1952); J.D.Snowden, The wild fodder Sorghums of the section Eu-Sorghum, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 55: 191-260 (1955); J.W.Vickery, Sorghum, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 29-33 (1961); J.M.J. de Wet, Systematics and evolution of Sorghum sect. Sorghum (Gramineae), Amer. J. Bot. 65: 477-484 (1978); B.K.Simon, Naturalized fodder sorghums in Queensland, and their role in shattering in grain sorghum, Queensland J. Agric. Anim. Sci. 36:71-86 (1979); M.Lazarides, J.B.Hacker & M.H.Andrew, Taxonomy, Cytology and Ecology of Indigenous Australian Sorghums (Sorghum Moench: Andropogoneae: Poaceae), Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 591-635 (1991).
1 Pedicelled spikelet much reduced or absent
2 Pedicelled spikelet absent or reduced
to a minute rudiment 1. S. angustum
2: Pedicelled spikelet reduced to one or
both glumes
3 Sessile spikelet to 11 mm long 2. S. macrospermum
3: Sessile spikelet to 6.6 mm long 3. S. laxiflorum
1: Pedicelled spikelet present
4 Awn of sessile spikelet 0-25 mm long
5 Primary branches of inflorescence not divided,
bearing only terminal racemes
6 Sessile spikelets 6-8 mm long 4. S. leiocladum
6: Sessile spikelets 4-5.5 mm long 5. S. nitidum
5: Primary branches of inflorescence divided,
bearing terminal and lateral racemes
7 Inflorescence axis much thicker than branches;
grain large, exposed at maturity 6. S. bicolor
7: Inflorescence axis slightly thicker than branches;
grain small, enclosed by glumes at maturity
8 Rhizome present
9 Sessile spikelet 5.0-6.5 mm long, 2-5 mm wide 7. S. x almum
9: Sessile spikelet 4.5-6.0 mm long, 1.8-2 mm wide
10 Leaf lamina to 20 mm wide;
culms 50-180 cm tall 8. S. halepense
10: Leaf lamina to 40 mm wide;
culms to 300 cm tall 9. S. miliaceum
8: Rhizome absent
11 Sessile spikelet breaking clean from apex
of rachis internode 10. S. arundinaceum
11: Sessile spikelet breaking together with
upper portion of rachis internode 11. S. x drummondii
4: Awn of sessile spikelet to 150 mm long
12 Racemes 1-2-jointed
13 Ovary and grain with a tuft of apical hairs 12. S. intrans
13: Ovary and grain glabrous
14 Callus 0.3-2.0 mm long, shortly pungent 13. S. amplum
14: Callus 3-10 mm long, long-pungent
15 Lower glume of sessile spikelet 3-lobed apically,
lobes flattened 14. S. brachypodum
15: Lower glume of sessile spikelet entire
or notched apically, with apical keels winged
or absent
16 Sessile spikelet elliptic, narrowed at apex 15. S. stipoideum
16: Sessile spikelet obovate, not narrowed at apex
17 Apical keels present on an apical beak;
ligule 1.3-2.3 mm long; pedicelled spikelets persistent 16. S. bulbosum
17: Apical keels absent;
ligule 2.5-5.8 mm long; pedicelled spikelets caducous 17. S. ecarinatum
12: Racemes usually with several joints
18 Callus 3-10 mm long, long-pungent;
sessile spikelet 9.5-18.0 mm long 18. S. interjectum
18: Callus 0.3-3.0 mm long, shortly pungent to
obtuse; sessile spikelet 4.5-10.0 mm long
19 Callus 0.8-3.0 mm long, shortly pungent;
articulation joint narrowly elliptic to obovate 19. S. plumosum
19: Callus to 0.7 mm long; articulation joint
broadly elliptic to ±circular
20 Sessile spikelet 4.5-6 mm long; panicle
branches branched 20. S. matarankense
20: Sessile spikelet 6-9 mm long; panicle
branches ususually simple
21 Perennial; sessile spikelet 8-9 mm long 21. S. grande
21: Annual; sessile spikelet 6-7 mm long 22. S. timorense
1. Sorghum angustum S.T.Blake, Pap. Dept. Biol. Univ. Queensland 1(18): 21 (1941)
T: c. 40 miles NW of Mungana, Qld, 8 Apr. 1938, S.T.Blake 13737; holo: BRI; iso: K.
Illustration: M.Lazarides et al., Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 617, fig. 4d-h (1991)
Annual. Culms to 100 cm tall, branched in the lower part, with 3-6 bearded nodes, often with aerial roots. Leaf lamina to 46 cm long, to 5.6 mm wide; ligule to 1 mm long, a hair fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 20 cm long; branches to 9 cm long and simple or sparsely divided; racemes 1-2 (-4)-jointed with joints linear, acutely oblique. Sessile spikelets to 13 mm long, elliptic-oblong or oblanceolate; callus to 7 mm long, elongated and pungent with callus hairs to 1.5 mm long, pallid or reddish; glumes hirsute to hispid; lower glume 9-11-nerved; upper 7-9-nerved; lower lemma to 6 mm long, glabrous or sometimes pilose on back near apex; upper lemma to 4.2 mm long with awn to 85 (-114) mm long; lodicules to 1 mm long. Anthers to 2.5 mm long. Grain to 3.3 mm long, to 1.3 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 0.2 mm long or absent. 2n = 10, fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
In north-eastern Qld and Arnhemland, N.T., where it grows in littoral zones and often on sandy soils in inland areas. Flowers Apr.--June, Sept. Map 16.
N.T.: Port Bradshawe, R.L.Specht 774 (BRI). Qld: 17 km S of Wolverton, Cape York, J.R.Clarkson 9971 & V.J.Neldner (BRI, MBA, NSW, K); 5 km S of Morehead R. Lakefield Natl Park, J.R.Clarkson 7039 & B.K.Simon (BRI, L, MBA, NSW, QRS); 18 km from Fairview on Palmerville road, J.R.Clarkson 3166 (BRI, CANB, NSW); Mt Pring, 10 km E of Bowen, B.K.Simon 3429 (BRI).
2. Sorghum macrospermum E.D.Garber, Univ. California Publ. Bot. 23(6): 323 (1950)
T: near `Darwin', 1947, cult. from seed collected by W.Hartley; holo: UC (photo CANB).
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 612, fig. 2j-l.
Annual. Culms to 380 cm tall, with many nodes, glabrous below, pubescent above, often with aerial roots from lower 1-2-nodes. Leaf lamina to 60 cm long, to 30 mm wide; ligule to 5 mm long, a hair fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 35 cm long; branches to 8 cm long, simple or divided; racemes 9-21-jointed with joints cupular, oblique or horizontal. Sessile spikelets to 11 mm long, lanceolate; callus to 0.3 mm long, obtuse or truncate; lower glume hyaline on apex and upper margins; upper glume 7-nerved, scabrid near apex, inside pubescent near apex or ciliate on keel and margins near apex; lower lemma to 11 mm long, ciliate at apex on margins; upper lemma to 4 mm long; upper lemma 3.5-4 mm long with awn to 30 mm long; lodicules to 0.6 mm long. Anthers 5.5-6.8 mm long. Grain to 6.3 mm long, to 2.6 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 13.5 mm long, reduced to glumes; pedicel to 6 mm long. 2n = 40, fide E.D Garber Univ. Calif. Pub. Bot. 23: 288 (1950).
Found in a small area of limestone outcrops north-west of Katherine, N.T. Flowers Feb.--Apr. Map 17.
N.T.: 8 km NW of Katherine, M.Lazarides 6847 (BRI, CANB); Katherine, S.T.Blake 17446 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MO, PERTH, PRE); 7.2 km N of Katherine, M.H.Andrew 374 (BRI, CANB, DNA); 8 km W of Katherine, L.Adams 889 (BRI, CANB).
3. Sorghum laxiflorum F.M.Bailey, Rep. Exped. Bellenden-Ker 70 (1889)
T: Mulgrave River, Qld, 1 Aug 1889, F.M.Bailey s.n.; holo: BRI; iso: K.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 610, fig. 1e.
Annual. Culms to 200 cm tall, to 14-noded, often with aerial roots, nodes pubescent, becoming glabrous. Leaf lamina to 16 mm wide with midnerve to 1.3 mm wide; ligule to 2 mm long. Inflorescence to 17 cm long, to 4 cm wide; branches to 3 cm long and divided; racemes 2-3-jointed with joints cupular, slightly oblique, circular or irregular. Sessile spikelets to 6.6 mm long, oblanceolate; callus to 0.3 mm long, minute, obtuse, with white hairs 1.3-1.6 mm long; glumes white-hirsute or glabrous; lower glume 11-nerved; upper 7-nerved, membranous; lower lemma to 4 mm long; upper lemma to 4 mm long, 3-nerved with awn to 43 mm long; lodicules to 0.3 mm long. Anthers to 1.3 mm long. Grain to 3 mm long, to 1.5 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 5 mm long, reduced to glumes; lower glume 6-8-nerved; upper glume to 2.5 mm long. 2n = 40, fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
Near-coastal areas of N.T. and northern and central Qld where it occurs on cracking clays and alluvial soils. Also in Papua New Guinea. Flowers July, Mar.--June. Map 18.
N.T.: Mary R., C.R.Dunlop 8397 & B.Wilson (CANB, DNA); Katherine R., L.Adams 942 (BRI, CANB). Qld: 70 km N of Laura, V.J.Neldner 3709 (BRI, CANB, MBA, NSW); 2 km E of Gregory R. near its confluence with Nicholson R., B.K.Simon 3085 & T.Farrell (BRI, CANB); 4 km S of Pinnacle, B.K.Simon 3330 (BRI, CANB, K).
4. Sorghum leiocladum (Hack.) C.E.Hubb. Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 34: t.3364 (1938)
Andropogon australis var. leiocladus Hack.in A.L.P.P.De Candolle, Monogr. Phan.6:524 (1889). T: Port Jackson, N.S.W., Feb. 1825, C.Gaudichau-Beaupré s.n.; holo: P; iso: BM, K.
Biennual. Culms to 150 cm tall, densely tufted, 3-5-noded, nodes bearded with white hairs 3-4 mm long). Leaf lamina to 70 cm long, to 1.5 mm wide; ligule to 1.3 mm long, a glabrous membrane. Inflorescence to 19 cm long, to 4 cm wide; branches to 4 cm long, simple; racemes 3-6-jointed with joints cupular, horizontal. Sessile spikelets 6-8 mm long, lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong; callus to 0.3 mm long, obtuse, with whitish to tawny hairs 1-3 mm long; glumes hirsute with tawny or brown hairs or ciliate on keel and margins, 7-11 nerved, narrowly oblong; lower lemma to 7 mm long; upper lemma to 4 mm long with awn to 20 mm long, column longer than bristle. Anthers to 5 mm long, to 4.5 mm long. Grain to 2.8 mm long, to 1.3 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 8 mm long; lower glume 5-8-nerved, smooth; upper glume 3-6-nerved. 2n = 20, fide E.D Garber Univ. Calif. Pub. Bot. 23: 288 (1950).23:288 (1950). Wild Sorghum.
Found east of 148°E in southern Qld, N.S.W. and northern Vic. on stony skeletal soils on hillslopes and granite outcrops but also on flat to undulating ground. Flowers Sept.--Apr. Map 19.
Qld: Wandoan, C.E.Hubbard 4893 (BRI, CANB, K); Belmont, S.T.Blake 19241 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, MO). N.S.W.: Armidale, R.G.Coveny 16398 & A.Whalen (BRI, NE, NSW); Rocky Hall near junction of Towamba R. and Black Log Ck, S.Forbes 2781 (AD, BRI, CANB, HO, K, MEL, MO, NBG, NSW, PERTH); Vic.: Buchan-Muridal Rd, S.J.Platt 108 (BRI, HO, LTB, NSW).
5. Sorghum nitidum (Vahl) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 101 (1805)
Holcus nitidus Vahl, Symb. Bot. 2: 102 (1791). T: India orientalis, holo: ?C, n.v.
Biennual. Culms to 150 cm tall, simple or sometimes branched, with 4-6 nodes, nodes bearded with white hairs to 4.3 mm long. Leaf lamina to 30 cm long, to 11 mm wide, glabrous or rarely hirsute; ligule to 2 mm long, a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 26 cm long; branches to 4 cm long, simple, semi-whorled, stiffly bearded in axils; racemes 3-5-jointed with joints circular, horizontal. Sessile spikelets to 5.5 mm long, lanceolate; callus to 0.3 mm long, minute, truncate, with tawny to brown hairs c. 1.6 mm long; glumes crustaceous, upper glume hairy or ciliate on keel and margins; lower lemma to 5.3 mm long, glabrous with ciliate margins; upper lemma to 3 mm long, deeply bilobed without awn or with awn to 15 mm long. Anthers to 3.5 mm long. Grain to 2.3 mm long, to 1 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 6 mm long, male; lower glume 7-nerved, hirsute with tawny to brown hairs; upper glume 4-7-nerved. 2n = 10, fide Ayyanger & Ponnaiya, Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci. 14: xx (CHECK) 2n = 20, fide E.D. Garber Univ. Calif. Pub. Bot. 23: 288 (1950). Brown Sorghum.
Found in eastern Qld on grey and brown loams and sands and in disturbed habitats. Also in tropical Asia and Japan. Flowers Dec.--July.
There are two forms. The awned and awnless forms are recognised as separate taxa as the spikelets are usually uniformly awned or unawned in the same inflorescence. There are only two records of specimens of spikelets having awned and awnless spikelets in the same panicle.
Sessile spikelet awnless 5a. f. nitidum
Sessile spikelet awned 5b. f. aristatum
5a. Sorghum nitidum (Vahl) Pers. f. nitidum
Sessile spikelet awnless
Found in northern coastal Queensland. Map 20.
Qld: 1.2 km NW of Nundah on road to Lockhart R., V.J.Neldner 3626 & J.R.Clarkson (BRI, MBA); Freshwater, near Cairns, S.T.Blake 13350 (BRI); Kuranda, D.A.Goy 387 (BRI); Seven Sisters, near Atherton, L.J.Webb & J.G.Tracey 5845 (BRI, CANB); between Ingham and Toobanna, C.E.Hubbard & C.W.Winders 6908 (BRI, K).
5b. Sorghum nitidum f. aristatum C.E.Hubb., Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 34: t. 3364: 5 (1938)
Andropogon serratus Thunb. ex Murray [as serratum], Syst. Veg., 14th edn, 903 (1784). T: not cited.
Sessile spikelet awned
Found in central and northern coastal Queensland. Map 21.
Qld: Saibai Is., J.R.Clarkson 7805 (BRI, K, MBA, NSW); Toonpan, C.E.Hubbard & C.W.Winders 6940 (BRI, K); Sarina, C.E.Hubbard & C.W.Winders 6495 (BRI, K); 15 km from Yeppoon on Yeppoon--Byfield road, B.K.Simon 2564 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, NSW); 16 kms NW of Gin Gin, L.Pedley 4069 (BRI).
6. *Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, Methodus 207 (1794)
Holcus bicolor L., Mant. Pl.: 301 (1771). T: Persia, D.Lerche s.n.; holo: ?LINN, n.v.
Illustration: B.K.Simon, Queensland J. Agric. Anim. Sci. 36: 74,76 figs 2A, 3H (1979).
Annual, without rhizomes. Culms to 300 cm tall, with up to 5 glabrous nodes, with aerial roots, simple. Leaf lamina to 100 cm long, to 70 mm wide; ligule to 2 mm long, a ciliate membrane. Inflorescence to 30 cm long, to 8 cm wide with axis much thicker than inflorescence branches; branches to 13 cm long; racemes 4-6-jointed with joints linear. Sessile spikelet to 6 mm long, breaking clean from apex of rachis internode; glumes coriaceous; lower glume 5-11-nerved; upper glume 3-7-nerved; lower lemma a membranous bract enclosing the fertile floret; upper lemma with awn to 13 mm long or absent. Grain 6-8 mm long, 4-6 mm wide, exposed at maturity. 2n = 20, fide xxxxxx. Cultivated Sorghum, Forage Sorghum, Grain Sorghum.
Widespread in Australia, wherever this species has been cultivated. Following early diversification in Ethiopia this species spread throughout tropical Africa and Asia. It was introduced into the New World with the slave trade and has been cultivated in Australia since white settlement. In disturbed sites but usually does not persist. Flowers all year. Map 22.
W.A.: Parry Ck Rd, 10 km N of Kunanurra, B.K.Simon 3702 & R.J.Petheram (BRI, CANB). N.T.: Yuendumu, T.S.Henshall 2988 (BRI, DNA). Qld: Leadingham Ck Rd, 6 km N of Dimbulah, J.R.Clarkson 6330 (BRI, MBA, NSW, QRS). N.S.W.: Flemington Sale Yards, Flemington, P.W.Michael s.n.. (CANB, NSW). Vic.: 2.5 km N of Pomborneit, A.C.Beauglehole 63772 (BRI, MEL).
7. *Sorghum x almum Parodi, Revista Argent. Agron. 10: 361, 363, figs 1-3, t. 31-34 (1943)
T: Santa Rosa, Cordoba, Argentina, L.R.Parodi 14442; holo: BAF, n.v.
Illustrations: L.R.Parodi, op.cit. 363, fig. figs 1-3, t. 31-34 (1943); B.K.Simon, Queensland J. Agric. Anim. Sci. 36: 74, fig. 2D (1979).
Perennial, with rhizomes. Culms to 320 cm tall, with 8-10 pubescent nodes, without aerial roots, simple. Leaf lamina to 100 cm long, to 40 mm wide; ligule to 5.5 mm long, a ciliate membrane. Inflorescence to 60 cm long, to 10 cm wide, with axis slightly thicker than inflorescence branches; branches to 30 cm long; racemes to 3-6-jointed. Sessile spikelet 5-6.5 mm long, 2-5 mm wide, elliptic-lanceolate, breaking clean from apex of rachis internode; callus to 3.8 mm long, obtuse; glumes coriaceous, hairy; lower glume 9-11-nerved, winged, minutely lobed; upper lemma with awn to 10 mm long or reduced. Anthers to 2.5 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 3.8 mm long, to 2 mm wide, enclosed by glumes at maturity. Pedicelled spikelet male, to 5 mm long; pedicels 3-3.5 mm long. 2n = 40, fide xxxxxx. Columbus Grass.
Cultivated widely as a forage grass, but has the tendency to escape and become weedy. Flowers Dec--July. Map 23.
W.A.: near Kununurra, A.A.Mitchell 3227 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Douglas R., C.R.Dunlop AQ 438071 (BRI). Qld: 11km W of Rockhampton, E.R.Anderson 4076 (BRI, CANB); 7 km from Yelarbon on Goondiwindi--Yelarbon road, S.L.Everist 9855 (BRI). N.S.W.: Pallamallawa, 8.5.1958, J.C. England (NSW).
A product of introgression between S. bicolor and S. halepense.
8. *Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 101 (1815)
Holcus halepense L., Sp. Pl. 1047 (1753). T: Syria; holo: ?LINN, n.v.
Andropogon sorghum f. muticus Hack., in A.L.P.P. De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 502 (1889); Sorghum halepense f. muticum (Hack.) C.E.Hubb., Icon. Pl. t. 3364: 4 (1938). T: many specimens from several countries.
Illustrations: J.D.Snowden, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 55: 198 (1955); B.K.Simon, Queensland J. Agric. Anim. Sci. 36: 74, fig. 2B (1979).
Perennial, with densely matted rhizomes 25-75 cm long. Culms 50-180 cm tall, rarely branched, with pubescent nodes, without aerial roots. Leaf lamina to 60 cm long, to 30 mm wide; ligule to 5 mm long, a glabrous membrane. Inflorescence to 40 cm long, 5-20 cm wide with axis slightly thicker than inflorescence branches; branches to 15 cm long, divided; racemes 3-6-jointed. Sessile spikelet to 5.5 mm long, 1.8-2 (-2.3) mm wide, elliptic-ovate, breaking clean from apex of rachis internode; glumes coriaceous, hairy; lower glume 7-9-nerved, winged, faintly cross-veined in upper part minutely lobed; upper glume glabrous, 7-nerved; lower lemma to 5 mm long; upper lemma to 3.5 mm long, 1-3-nerved with awn to 16 mm long, or awnless. Anthers to 3 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 3 mm long, enclosed by glumes at maturity. Pedicelled spikelet male or rarely neuter, 4.5-6 mm long; pedicels 2-3 mm long. 2n = 40, fide xxxx. Johnson Grass.
Widespread in both tropical and temperate Australia. Introduced early to Australia as a fodder grass, but has become an aggressive agricultural weed. Flowers Nov.--May. Map 24.
W.A.: Drummonds Cove, near Geraldton, Mar. 1975, Mrs Birbidge (BRI, PERTH). Qld: Lazerinie, R.Henzell 11 & K.White (BRI); Rocklea, B.K.Simon 3479 (BRI, CANB, K, MO, NSW, PRE). N.S.W.: Albury, R.G.Coveny 12924, W.Bishop & J.M.Dalby (BRI, MEL, NSW, US, UTC). Vic: Shepparton, R.V.Smith 70/9 (AD, BRI, CANB, HO, NSW).
The forms with awned and unawned spikelets have been formally recognised by some authors but as awned and unawned spikelets are commonly found in the same inflorescence, formal recognition is not followed.
9. Sorghum miliaceum (Roxb.) Snowden, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 55: 207 (1955)
Andropogon miliaceus Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 276 (1820).
Illustrations: J.D.Snowden, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 55: 206, figs D--F, (1955); B.K.Simon, Queensland J. Agric. Anim. Sci. 36: 74, fig. 2C (1979).
Perennial, with densely matted rhizomes. Culms to 300 cm tall, with pubescent nodes, without aerial roots, simple or branched above. Leaf lamina to 90 cm long, to 40 mm wide; ligule a glabrous membrane. Inflorescence to 55 cm long, with axis slightly thicker than inflorescence branches; branches to 20 cm long, divided; racemes 2-5-jointed. Sessile spikelet to 6 mm long, elliptic-ovate, breaking clean from apex of rachis internode; glumes coriaceous; lower glume 8-12-nerved, faintly cross-veined in upper part; upper glume 7-nerved; lower lemma to 5 mm long, sparingly ciliate; upper lemma to 4 mm long with awn to 16 mm long. Anthers to 3.5 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 2.5 mm long, to 1.5 mm wide, enclosed by glumes at maturity. Pedicelled spikelet male, 5-6.5 mm long.
A weed in northern coastal Qld. Flowers Apr. Map 25.
Qld: 1 km N of Clare, B.K.Simon 3438 (BRI); Airville, L.S.Chapman s.n. (BRI); Mona Park, R.Henzell 5 & K.White (BRI); Ayr, Feb. 1962, M.C.Finlay s.n. (BRI).
Possibly only a giant form of S. halepense.
10. *Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 114 (1917)
Andropogon arundinaceus Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 906 (1806), non Berg (1767); Rhaphis arundinaceus Desv., Opusc. Sci.Phys.Nat. 69 (1831). T: Ghana, Isert s.n. ; holo: B, n.v., fide W.D.Clayton, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae 727 (1982).
Andropogon verticilliflorus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1:393 (1854); Sorghum verticilliflorum (Steud.)Stapf, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 116 (1917) T: Reunion, whereabouts unknown, fide W.D.Clayton, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramin.: 727 (1982)
Sorghum brevicarinatum Snowden, J. Linn. Soc. London 55:242 (1955). T: Tanzania, Lushoto District, Muheza to Amani, Storey 2; holo: K, fide xxx., n.v.
Illustrations: W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae 3, fig. 168 (1982); B.K.Simon, Queensland J. Agric. Anim. Sci. 36:76, fig 3E (1979) as S. brevicarinatum, fig 3f(1979) as S. verticilliflorum.
Annual or short lived perennial, without rhizomes. Culms to 400 cm tall, with aerial roots, loosely tufted, simple, with 4-7 pubescent nodes. Leaf lamina to 85 cm long, to 5 mm wide; ligule to 2 mm long, a ciliate membrane. Inflorescence to 60 cm long, with axis slightly thicker than inflorescence branches; branches to 30 cm long, divided; racemes 2-5-jointed. Sessile spikelet to 7.7 mm long, elliptic-lanceolate, breaking clean from apex of rachis internode; glumes coriaceous, hairy; lower glume 9-13-nerved, cross-veined in upper part; upper glume 7-8-nerved; lower lemma to 6 mm long, densely ciliate; upper lemma to 5 mm long, with awn to 16 mm long. Anthers to 4 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 3.5 mm long, to 2 mm wide, enclosed by glumes at maturity. Pedicelled spikelet male or reduced to one or both glumes. Wild Sorghum, Rhodesian Sudan Grass.
Widespread weed in the coastal areas of Qld and northern N.S.W. Flowers Mar.--May. Map 26.
Qld: Gooranga Plains, N of Lethebrook Ck, E.R.Anderson 523 (BRI, NSW); Gladstone, T.D.Stanley 692 (BRI); Bundaberg, L.S.Smith 411 (BRI); Indooroopilly, B.K.Simon 3480 (BRI, K, L, NSW). N.S.W.: Upper Lansdowme, J.B.Noonan s.n. (NSW).
11. *Sorghum x drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) Millsp. & Chase, Publ. Field Columbian. Mus. Bot. Ser. 3: 21 (1903)
Andropogon drummondii Ness ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1:393 (1854). T: ?location, Drummond 588, holo: US, n.v., fide xxx
Andropogon sorghum var. sudanensis Piper, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 28: 33 (1915); Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 113 (1917). T: Grown in Virginia from seed from Khartoum, the Sudan, R.Hewison s.n., holo: K, n.v., fide O.Stapf, Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 114 (1917).
Illustration: J.D.Snowden, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 55: 253 (1955); B.K.Simon, Queensland J. Agric. Anim. Sci. 36:74, fig 3G (1979) both as Sorghum sudanense.
Annual, without rhizomes. Culms to 300 cm tall, , loosely tufted, simple, with 6-9 pubescent nodes, with aerial roots. Leaf lamina to 50 cm long, to 12 mm wide; ligule to 2 mm long, a ciliate membrane. Inflorescence to 30 cm long, with axis slightly thicker than inflorescence branches; branches to 15 cm long, divided; racemes 2-5-jointed. Sessile spikelet to 7.5 mm long, elliptic-lanceolate or oblong, breaking together with upper portion of rachis internode; glumes coriaceous, hairy; lower glume 11-15-nerved, cross-veined in upper part; upper glume 7-nerved; lower lemma to 6.5 mm long; upper lemma to 4 mm long with awn to 16 mm long. Anthers to 4 mm long. Grain to 4.5 mm long, to 2 mm wide, enclosed by glumes at maturity. Pedicelled spikelet male, 5.5-8 mm long. Sudan Grass.
A forage grass introduced to Australia from the U.S.A. but originally from the Sudan. Flowers Feb.--Apr. Map 27.
W.A.: Fossil Downs Station, M.Lazarides 3135 (BRI, CANB). Qld: Richmond, R.J.Henderson H1925 (BRI); 6 km from Tambo on road to Augathella, B.K.Simon 2804 & J.R.Clarkson (BRI); Warwick, C.T.White 13115 (BRI). N.S.W.: Orange, Apr. 1917, J.S.R.Crawford s.n. (BRI, NSW).
12. Sorghum intrans F.Muell. ex Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 541 (1878)
Andropogon intrans F.Muell., Syst. Census Austral. Pl. 132 (1882). T: Port Darwin, N.T., Oct. 1869, Schultz 31; lecto: K, fide M. Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 618 (1991).
Sorghum exstans Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 613 (1991). T: Stuart Hwy, 25 miles S of Darwin, 30 Mar. 1954, A.E.Wynn K119; holo: CANB; iso: CANB.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, loc.cit. fig. 1c-d.
Annual. Culms to 360 cm tall, simple, with 4-8 glabrous to pubescent nodes, often with aerial roots. Leaf lamina to 50 cm long, to 15mm wide; ligule to 4.5 mm long, a glabrous or rarely ciliate membrane. Inflorescence to 40 cm long; branches to 7 cm long and simple or rarely divided; racemes 1 (-3)-jointed with joints narrowly linear, oblique or often curved. Sessile spikelets to 15.5 mm long, elliptic, oblong or obovate; callus to 6 (-9.5) mm long, pungent; glumes glabrous and glossy or brown-hirsute to pubescent; lower glume narrowly oblong; upper glume membranous on each side of mid-vein, hirsute or ciliate on keel and margins; upper lemma with awn (40-) 75-110 -150) mm long; lodicules to 0.7 mm long. Anthers to 5 mm long. Ovary and grain with an apical tuft of hairs. Grain to 6.3 mm long, to 2 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 24 mm long; pedicel to 7 mm long. 2n = 10, fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
Confined to the Kimberley, W.A. and north-western N.T. on a range of soil types general in alluvial situations. Flowers all year, but mainly in summer. Map 28.
W.A.: Lagrange Bay, Feb. 1869, A.Hughan s.n. (BRI, MEL); Vansittart Bay, A.A.Mitchell 2897 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: near Blackfellow Ck, 13° 30' S 130° 47' E, S.T.Blake 16678 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MO, NSW, PERTH); 14.8 km W of West Wildman R. on Arnhem Hwy, M.H.Andrew 371 (BRI, CANB,DNA); Robin Falls, C.R.Dunlop 3152 (BRI, CANB, MO, NSW).
Sorghum exstans was separated from S. intrans by a number of small morphological characters, but they show a lack of consistency on closer examination. I regard them as the sort of characters found in normal intra-specific variation.
13. Sorghum amplum Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4:606 (1991)
T: Mitchell Plateau, West Kimberley, W.A., 15 May 1978, K.F.Kenneally 6576; holo: CANB; iso, PERTH.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 614 (1991), fig. 3a-c.
Robust annual. Culms to 400 cm tall, simple, with 6-8 pubescent nodes, with aerial roots. Leaf lamina to 30 cm long, to 18 mm wide; ligule to 3.3 mm long, a hair fringed membrane Inflorescence to 28 (-40) cm long, to 4 (-6) cm wide; branches to 7 cm long, simple or divided at base; racemes 1 (-2)-jointed with joints broadly oblong-elliptic-obovate. Sessile spikelets to 11 mm long, elliptic, rather plump; callus to 1.5 (-2.2) mm long, shortly pungent, thickened and straight; glumes cartiaginous; lower glume 7-9-nerved, glabrous or brown-hirsute; upper glume 7-nerved, membranous on each side of mid-vein, partly pubescent or ciliate on keel and margins; lower lemma to 10 mm long with awn to 90 mm long; lodicules to 0.5 mm long. Anthers to 4.6 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 5.3 mm long, to 1.8 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 10 mm long, male; pedicel to 7 mm long. 2n = 10 fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
Extends from Glenroy and the Mitchell Plateau to coastal islands in W.A. Grows on granite, laterite, basalt and sandstone. Flowers July, May--June. Map 29.
W.A.: Mitchell Plateau Mining Camp, P.A.Fryxell & L.A.Craven 4011 (BRI); Port Warrender M.H.Andrew 583 (BRI, CANB, DNA); 55 km from Bell Ck toward Derby on Gibb River Rd, M.H.Andrew 597 (BRI, CANB, DNA,).
14. Sorghum brachypodum Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot.4: 608 (1991)
T: 44 km SE of Oenpelli, N.T., 20 Feb. 1973, M.Lazarides 7809; holo: CANB; iso: K, L, NT, US.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 617, fig. 4a-c (1991).
Annual. Culms to 250 (-360) cm tall, simple, with 4-6 glabrous or rarely pubescent nodes, sometimes with aerial roots, glaucous or pruinose. Leaf lamina to 30 cm long, to 8 mm wide, glabrous, rarely pilose with tubercle-based hairs or pubescent; ligule to 2 (-3.3) mm long, a scaberulous or rarely a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 30 (-41) cm long; branches to 5 (-7) cm long, simple; racemes 1-jointed with joints linear, acutely oblique. Sessile spikelets to 18 (-22) mm long, obovate; callus 3-10 mm long, elongated, long-pungent; glumes glabrous or rarely hirsute; lower glume 8-nerved, 3-lobed apically, lobes flattened; upper glume 7-nerved; upper lemma with awn to 130 mm long.; lodicules to 1 mm long. Anthers to 5 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 6 mm long, to 2 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 20 mm long, male; pedicel to 9 mm long. 2n = 10 fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
Known only from a small, northern area of Kakadu National Park, N.T. where it is a common component of sandy lowlands in forests and woodlands of Eucalyptus tetradonta, E. miniata and Sorghum stipoideum. Flowers Feb.--May. Map 30.
N.T.: Oenpelli, R.L.Specht 1260 (BRI); Jabiru, M.Lazarides 8021 (BRI, CANB); Kapalga, M.H.Andrew 365 (BRI, CANB, DNA).
15. Sorghum stipoideum (Ewart & Jean White) C.A.Gardner & C.E.Hubb., Icon. Pl. 34: 6, t.3364 (1938)
Sarga stipoidea Ewart & Jean White, Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria 23: 297, pl.LV (1911); Chrysopogon stipoides (Ewart & Jean White) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 271 (1915); Andropogon stipoides (Ewart & Jean White) C.A. Gardner, Enum. Plant Austral. Occid. 5 (1930). T: Napier Broome Bay, W.A., G.F.Hill 161; lecto: MEL 1548389, fide Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 629 (1991)
Sorghum mjoebergii Cheel, Kungl. Svensk. Vet.-Akad. Handl. n.s.50, no.10:3 (1916). T: Nonkanbah, W.A., E.Mjoberg 61; holo: S, n.v.; photo 7065, K.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 610, fig. 1a-b (1991).
Annual. Culms to 300 cm tall, usually branched, with 3-6 (-9) glabrous, pubescent or bearded nodes (-9), sometimes with aerial roots, glaucous. Leaf lamina to 50 cm long, to 13 mm wide, hairy; ligule to 3.7 mm long. Inflorescence to 38 cm long, to 3 cm wide; branches to 6 (-10) cm long, simple or rarely divided; racemes 1-3 jointed with joints linear, oblique and curved. Sessile spikelets to 18 mm long, elliptic or subulate; callus to 8.5 mm long, elongated, long-pungent; glumes hirsute to pubescent or glabrous; lower glume 8-11 nerved, entire or notched apically; upper glume 7-nerved; upper lemma with awn to 155 mm long. Anthers to 6 mm long; lodicules to 1 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 2.5 mm long, to 1.8 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 18 mm long, male. 2n = 10 fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 596 (1991).
Occurring widely in tropical W.A. and N.T. over a range of habitats and soil types. Flowers Feb.-- Sept. Map 31.
W.A.: 72 km S of Wynum and Kununurra junction, B.K.Simon 3809 & C.R.Dunlop (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, NSW, PERTH). N.T.: Angurugu Ck, Groote Eyelandt, I.Cowie 2597 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MEL); headwaters of Liverpool R., Arnhem Land, G.M.Wightman 1420 & L.Craven (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA); Hodgson Downs Stn, S.T.Blake 17545 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, NSW, PERTH).
Sorghum stipoideum is one of the main annual grass species that characterises the monsoonal savanna vegetation of the tropical regions of the N.T. and W.A. The other main savanna species is S. intrans, which differs in having a tuft of hairs from the apex of the ovary and caryopsis. Sorghum amplum, S. brachypodum, S. bulbosum, and S. ecarinatum are recently described species that differ from S. stipoideum by very slight morphological spikelet differences that are almost impossible to discern in the field. They all have the same chromosome number and may possibly be regarded as ecotypes of S. stipoideum.
16. Sorghum bulbosum Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot.4: 609 (1991)
T: 26 km SE of Kununurra, W.A., 10 Mar. 1978, M.Lazarides 8445; holo: CANB; iso: CANB.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 610, fig. 1g-j (1991).
Annual. Culms to 200 cm tall, simple, with 6 nodes, sometimes with aerial roots, nodes with a ring of stiff white hairs 6-10 mm long and sometimes also pubescent. Leaf lamina to 5.3 mm wide, hairy; ligule 1.3-2.3 mm long, a scaberulous membrane or a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 34 cm long; branches to 7 cm long, simple or rarely divided; racemes 1-jointed with joints linear, oblique. Sessile spikelets to 13 mm long; callus to 8 mm long, elongated, long-pungent; glumes mostly glabrous; lower glume 7-8-nerved, inflated, notched apically, abruptly constricted into a beak with apical keels; upper glume 7-nerved, lanceolate usually pubescent on the submargins; upper lemma with awn to 90 mm long; lodicules to 0.8 mm long. Anthers to 3.3 mm long; Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 5 mm long, to 1.6 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 13 mm long, persistent, male or neuter; pedicel to 6 mm long. 2n = 10 fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
Known from a small area in N.T. and adjoining parts of W.A. where it grows on shallow stony soils on basaltic and granitic hills. Flowers Mar.--May. Map 32.
W.A.: King Sound, A.Hughan s.n. (MEL, BRI fragm). N.T.: 40 km E of Kununurra, M.H.Andrew 437 (BRI, CANB, DNA); 11.5 km E of Willeroo HS, M.H.Andrew 448 (BRI, CANB, DNA); 31 km SW of Mathieson R., B.K.Simon 3670 & E.Bartlet-Tor (BRI, CANB, K); 32 km W of East Baines R., M.H.Andrew 442 (BRI, CANB, DNA).
17. Sorghum ecarinatum Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot.4: 611 (1991)
T: Kolan Is., W.A., 2 Feb. 1983, P.A.Fryxell & L.A.Craven 3913; holo: CANB; iso: BRI, CANB, DNA, G, K, L, MEL, NA, PERTH.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 612, fig. 2d-i (1991).
Annual. Culms to 200 cm tall, simple or rarely branched, with 4-7 glabrous or pubescent nodes, sometimes with aerial roots. Leaf lamina to 9 mm wide, glabrous, sometimes hispid or pilose with tubercle-based hairs to 4 mm long; ligule to 2.5-5.8 mm long. Inflorescence to 30 cm long; branches to 6.5 cm long, simple or divided Racemes 1-jointed with joints linear, oblique or curved. Sessile spikelets to 11 mm long, obovate, oblanceolate or oblong-elliptic; callus to 4 mm long, elongated, long-pungent; glumes crustaceous, 7-9-nerved, hirsute or pubescent on body or ciliate on keel and margins near apex, without keels; lower glume notched apically but without apical keels; upper lemma with awn to 100 mm long; lodicules to 0.7 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 5 mm long, to 1.8 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 10 mm long, caducous; pedicel to 6 mm long. 2n = 10 fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
From scattered localities in W.A. and N.T. on a range of soil types. Flowers Apr.--June. Map 33.
W.A.: 41 km E of Derby on Gibb R. road at junction with road to Meda Stn, P.A.Fryxell & L.A.Craven 3925 (BRI, CANB); Dingo Cave, Napier Ra., B.K.Simon 3968 (BRI, DNA, K, PERTH); Carlton road, NW of Kununurra, M.H.Andrew 175 (BRI, CANB, DNA). N.T.: Katherine, S.T.Blake 17466 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MO, NSW, PERTH); Katherine, L.Adams 928 (BRI, CANB).
18. Sorghum interjectum Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 616 (1991)
T: Stuart Hwy, 15 mls [24 km] SE of Mataranka, N.T., 21 Mar. 1964, M.Lazarides 7089; holo: CANB; iso: B, BRI, K, L, MEL, W, NT, PERTH, US.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 617, fig. 4i-k (1991).
Biennual. Culms to 250 cm tall, simple, with 4-7 bearded, pubescent or glabrous nodes, without aerial roots, glaucous or green. Leaf lamina to 40 cm long, to 14 mm wide; ligule to 3.7 mm long. Inflorescence to 40 cm long; branches to 7.5 cm long, divided; racemes 2-4 (-6) jointed with joints oblong or cupular, almost vertical. Sessile spikelets 9.5-18 mm long, elliptic, narrowed to a beak like apex; callus 3-10 mm long, elongated, long-pungent, slender and curved; glumes 7-9-nerved, hirsute; upper lemma with awn to 92 mm long; lodicules to 1 mm long. Anthers to 4.2 mm long; Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 4.5 mm long, to 1.5 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 13 mm long; pedicel to 7 mm long. 2n = 30 and 40, fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
Known from a few localised populations in W.A. and N.T. and a disjuction collection from Qld, where it occurs on sandy soils, beach dunes, sandstone escarpments and from laterite overlying sandstone. Flowers Jan.-- July. Map 34.
W.A.: One Arm Point, Dampier Penin., K.F.Kenneally 10659 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Casuarina Beach, Darwin, C.R.Dunlop & N.B.Byrnes 2176 (BRI, DNA); Katherine, M.H.Andrew 603 (BRI, CANB, DNA); Tennant Ck, R.A.Perry 612 (BRI, CANB). Qld: between Georgetown and Gilbert R., J.B.Hacker 828 ex T.J.Hall (CANB).
19. Sorghum plumosum (R.Br.) P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr.132, 165, 178 (1812)
Holcus plumosus R.Br., Prodr. 200 (1810). T: Allen Is., Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland, 19 Nov. 1802, R.Brown [6192]; holo: BM; iso: K.
Biennual, sometimes rhizomatous. Culms to 300 cm tall, simple or rarely branched, with 4-5 glabrous, pubescent or bearded nodes, sometimes with aerial roots, sometimes glaucous. Leaf lamina to 30 cm long, 4-12 mm wide, flat, loosely folded or terete, hirsute or glabrous; ligule to 3 mm long, a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 32 (-45) cm long; branches to 7 cm long, simple or rarely divided; racemes 2-4 (-6)-jointed with joints elliptic or linear, acutely oblique. Sessile spikelets to 9 (-11) mm long; callus 0.8-3 mm long, small, shortly pungent or rarely subacute, thickened and straight; glumes cartiaginous; upper lemma with awn to 70(-100) mm long. Anthers to 3.8 mm long; lodicules to 0.7 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 4.3 mm long, to 1.5 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 10.5 mm long; pedicel to 6 mm long. 2n = 10, fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991), 2n = 20, fide Garber, Univ. Calif. Pub. Bot. 23: xxx (1950), 2n = 30, fide Pritchard & Gould, Austr. J. Agric. Research 16:xxx (1964). Plume Sorghum.
There are two varities in tropical Australia, one widepread and the other only collected once.
Leaf lamina flat or loosely folded, 4-12 mm wide, herbaceous 19a. var. plumosum
Leaf lamina terete, 1-2 mm wide, indurated 19b. var. teretifolium
19a. Sorghum plumosum (R.Br.) P.Beauv. var. plumosum
Illustration: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 93, Fig. B (1952).
Leaf lamina flat or loosely folded, 4-12 mm wide, herbaceous.
Widespread in tropical Australia with a few records from the subtropics. Flowers Jan.--Sept. Map 35.
W.A.: Mining camp airstrip, Mitchell Plateau, P.A.Fryxall & L.A.Craven 4068 (BRI, CANB). N.T.: Renehan Ra., Tanami Desert, P.K.Latz 11320 (BRI, CANB, DNA); 17 Mile Plain, Melville Is., M.H.Andrew 460 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Springmount Stn, J.R.Clarkson 4635; 21 km NW of Hyde Park, E.J.Thompson BUC567 & B.K.Simon (BRI, CANB, NSW).
19b. Sorghum plumosum var. teretifolium Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot.4: 629 (1991)
T: 14 km SE of Bedford Downs Stn, W.A., 21 July 1959, M.Lazarides 6381;holo: CANB; iso: BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NT.
Leaf lamina terete, restricted to midrib, 1-2 mm wide, indurated.
Map 36.
This variety has thus far only been collected from the type locality.
20. Sorghum matarankense E.D. Garber & L.A. Snyder, Madroño 11:8(1951)
T: E of Mataranka, near Elsey Stn, 29 Apr. 1947, S.T.Blake 17356; holo: BRI; iso: CANB.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 610, fig. 1f (1991).
Annual. Culms to 200 cm tall, simple or rarely branched, with many glabrous, pubescent or bearded nodes, with aerial roots, glaucous. Leaf lamina to 50 cm long, hairy or glabrous, ligule a glabrous or hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 40 cm long; branches to 8 cm long, usually divided; racemes 2-4-jointed with joints broadly elliptic to circular, oblique. Sessile spikelets to 6 mm long, lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong; callus to 0.7 mm long, elongated, subacute, slender and curved; glumes hirsute or glabrous; lower glume 7-9-nerved; upper glume 5-7-nerved; lower lemma to 6 mm long; upper lemma with awn to 40 mm long. Anthers long, to 3 mm long. Grain to 3 mm long, to 1.1 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 7.3 mm long, male. Anthers 2.5-3.5 mm long. 2n = 10, fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
Confined to the northern central part of N.T. between latitudes 15°S and 18°S in association with lancewood (Acacia shirleyi Maiden) on a range of soil types. Flowers Mar.--Aug. Map 37.
N.T.: 54 km NE of Auvergne Stn on Victoria R., R.A.Perry 2691 (BRI, CANB); 20.5 km N of Daly Waters on Stuart Hwy, M.H.Andrew 617 (BRI, CANB, DNA); Amungee Mungee Stn, I.D.Cowie 1831 & B.A.Wilson (BRI, DNA); 32 km N of Newcastle Waters, R.E.Winkworth 1066; 68.5 km E of Stuart Hwy on road to Borraloola, M.H.Andrew 489 (BRI, CANB, DNA).
21. Sorghum grande Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 615 (1991)
T: 3 mls [5 km] N of Katherine, 13 Mar. 1964, M.Lazarides 7056; holo: CANB; iso: AD, B, BRI, K, L, MEL, NSW, NT, US.
Illustration: M.Lazarides, loc.cit. fig. 2g-i.
Perennial (short-lived). Culms to 300 cm tall, densely tufted, with 6-7 bearded, pubescent or glabrous nodes, usually without aerial roots, glaucous. Leaf lamina to xx cm long, to 16 mm wide; ligule to 4 mm long, a glabrous, scaberulous or hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 44 cm long; branches to 6 cm long, simple; racemes 3-6 (-7) jointed, with joints oblong or elliptic, often almost as wide as long, oblique. Sessile spikelets 8-9 mm long, elliptic; callus to 1.6 (-2.3) mm long, obtuse, slender and curved; glumes hirsute or glabrous; lower glume 7-9 nerved; upper glume 5-7-nerved; upper lemma with awn to 60 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 3.6 mm long, to 1.5 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 9 mm long. 2n = 30 and 40, fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 595 (1991).
Known from two disjunct areas, the "top end" of N.T. and central coastal Qld where it grows on cracking clay and alluvial soils. Flowers Feb.--May. Map 38.
N.T.: 9 km SE of Katherine on Stuart Hwy, M.Lazarides 7047 (BRI, CANB); M.Lazarides 7043 (BRI, CANB). Qld: 2 km ENE of Inkerman, B.K.Simon 2609 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, NSW); Sarina, C.E.Hubbard & C.Winders 6491 (BRI, K).
22. Sorghum timorense (Kunth) Büse ex de Vriese, Pl. Ind. Bat. Orient. 103 (1856)
Andropogon tropicus var. timorensis Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1:367, t. 97 (1829). T: t. 97 in K.S. Kunth (1829).
Sorghum brevicallosum Garber, Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 23: 325 (1950). T: `near Darwin', seed collected in 1947 by W.Hartley; holo: UC (photo, CANB).
Sorghum australiense E.D.Garber & L.A.Snyder, Madroño 11: 7 (1951). T: Elsey Stn, E of Mataranka, N.T., 29 Apr. 1947, S.T.Blake 17526; holo: BRI; iso: CANB.
Annual. Culms to 300 cm tall, simple, with few to many bearded or glabrous nodes, sometimes with aerial roots, sometimes glaucous. Leaf lamina to 60 cm long, pubescent or hispid above, pilose to hirsute or puberulous below; ligule to 3.5 mm long, a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence to 40 cm long; branches to 11 cm long, simple or rarely divided; racemes 2-10-jointed with joints almost circular, 0.5-0.7 mm long and wide, oblique. Sessile spikelets 6-7 mm long, lanceolate or narrowly elliptic; callus to 0.7 mm long, slender and curved, small, obtuse with tawny-brown hairs c. 2 mm long; glumes indurated; lower glume 8-9-nerved; upper glume 5-7-nerved; lower lemma membranous with hyaline margins; upper lemma with awn to 45 mm long. Anthers to 5 mm long; lodicules to 0.9 mm long. Ovary and grain glabrous. Grain to 6 mm long, to 1.8 mm wide. Pedicelled spikelet to 5-9 mm long. 2n = 10 and 20, fide J.B.Hacker, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 596 (1991).
Found in W.A., N.T. and Qld on cracking clay soils. Also in Timor and possibly other Indonesian islands. Flowers Mar.--Aug. Map 39.
W.A.: Freshwater Bay, A.A.Mitchell 2884 (BRI, PERTH); Kimberley Research Station, M.H.Andrew 519 (BRI, CANB, DNA). N.T.: Victoria Hwy, 1 km NE of Keep R., B.K.Simon 3682 & E.Bartlett-Torr (BRI, CANB, DNA, K); Mt Wedge Stn, P.K.Latz 2155 (BRI, DNA). Qld: Between Don Ck and Wooroona Ck, SSE of Camooweal, S.T.Blake 17937 (BRI, CANB, DNA, PERTH).
11. CLAUSOSPICULA
Clausospicula Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 399 (1991); from Latin, clausus (closed) and spicula (spikelet), alluding to the cleistogmaous nature of the spikelet.
Type: C. extensa Lazarides
Annuals, tufted, erect from base. Leaf lamina narrow, flat or folded, smooth, linear; ligule a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence a simple terminal spatheate panicle; racemes paired, pedunculate, 1-jointed. Spikelets reduced to 1 sessile and 2 pedicelled spikelets, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets cleistogamous, narrowly obovate, dorsally compressed; callus acuminate, pungent. Glumes ± equal, indurated, glabrous or with tuberle-based hairs, dissimilar; lower glume indurated, flattened on back, muticous, rugose; upper glume indurated, acuminate, awned with awn often twisted round awn of lemma. Lower floret reduced to 2 nerved hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma hyaline, awned with a robust geniculate awn. Grain ellipsoid, laterally compressed near apex. Pedicelled spikelets reduced or absent, if present sterile and awnless; pedicels free of rachis.
A monospecific genus endemic to the western Arnhemland region of N.T.
M.Lazarides, J.Lenz, L.Watson, Clausospicula, a new Australian genus of grasses (Poaceae, Andropogoneae), Austral. Syst. Bot. 4: 391-405 (1991).
Clausospicula extensa Lazarides, Austral. Syst. Bot. 4:399 (1991)
T: South Alligator R., c. 26 km WSW of Mt Evelyn, N.T., 26 Feb. 1973, L.G.Adams & M.Lazarides 3113; holo: CANB; iso: CANB.
Annual. Culms to 45 cm tall, loosely tufted, 5-7 noded. Nodes glabrous. Lamina to 30 cm long, to 2.6 mm wide, hairy (pilose with stiff tubercle-based hairs on upper surface), flat or loosely folded; ligule to 0.5 mm long. Inflorescence to 20 cm long, to 8 cm wide; racemes 1-jointed. Sessile spikelet to 10 mm long. Callus elongated, to 3.5 mm long, pungent. Lower glume muticous or mucronate (0.5-1 mm long). Upper glume narrowly lanceolate (with a scabrous apical awn 14-19 mm long). Lower lemma to 5 mm long. Awn to 105 mm long. Column as long as bristle (40-55 mm long). Lodicules to 0.6 mm long. Anthers to 1.5 mm long. Grain to 5.6 mm long, to 1.5 mm wide, enclosed by glumes at maturity. Ovary and grain glabrous. Pedicelled spikelet absent or rudimentary, neuter. Pedicels 5-5.3 mm long.
Endemic to the western Arnhemland region of N.T. Flowers Feb.--May. Map 40.
N.T. N of Edith Falls, 14°09'S 132°05'E', M.J.Barritt 772 (BRI, CANB, DNA); G.J.Leach 2575 & C.R.Dunlop (B, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, MO, NSW, PEK, PERTH, US)
12. SORGHASTRUM
Sorghastrum Nash in Britton, Man. Fl. North. States: 71 (1901); from Sorghum and Latin astrum (a poor imitation of), alluding to its resemblance to the former genus.
Type: S. avenaceum (Michx.) Nash = S. nutans (L.) Nash
Rhizomatous perennials. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence a large, open, terminal panicle; racemes solitary; internodes slightly shorter than sessile spikelet; internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, with one sessile the other reduced to a linear pedicel. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed. Glumes ± similar; lower glume coriaceous, broadly convex on back; upper glume conxex on back, slightly keeled. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, bidentate with a geniculate hairy awn; palea absent. Grain oblong. Pedicelled spikelets reduced to naked pedicels, free of rachis.
A genus of c. 16 species from tropical Africa and tropical America; represented in Australia by one naturalised species.
Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash in Small, Fl. Southeast. U.S. 66 (1903)
Andropogon nutans L., Sp. Pl. 1: 1045 (1753). T: Eastern America, Kalm s.n., n.v.
Illustrations: A.S.Hitchcock, Manual grasses United States, 2nd edition rev. A.Chase, fig. 1178 (1950); F.W.Gould, Grasses Texas, fig. 303 (1975).
Culms 100-200 cm tall, simple; nodes with appressed hairs. Leaf lamina to 25 cm long, 5-10 mm wide; ligule to 3.5 mm long. Inflorescence 15-30 long, to 5 cm wide; branches to 6 cm long. Internodes slightly longer than pedicels, uniformly hirsute, 5-6 mm long, filiform. Spikelets 6-8 mm long, lanceolate-linear; lower glume narrowly truncate, rounded on back, chartaceous, hirsute, 9-nerved; upper glume 7-nerved, as long as lower; lower lemma c. 5 mm long, elliptic-oblong, hyaline; upper lemma c. 4 mm long, stipitiform, bifid with linear lobes, with awn to 13 mm long. Anthers c. 3.5 mm long. Indian grass. Fig4I-K.
Naturalised in one locality of south-western W.A. Flowers Mar. Map 41.
W.A.: Esperance, Mar. 1960, M.Polkinghorn s.n. (PERTH); Mar. 1961, M.Polkinghorn s. n. (PERTH).
13. VETIVERIA
Vetiveria Bory in Lem.-Lisanc. in Bull. Sci. Soc. Philom. 1822: 43 (1822); from Tamil vettiver (cut root), the name of the genus, alluding to the aromatic oils (in the roots) which produce an odour when cut.
Type: V. odoratissima Bory = V. zizanioides (L.) Nash
Compactly tufted perennials, erect from base. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a fringe of hairs. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, an open panicle; branches 3-many jointed; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume coriaceous or chartaceous, convex on back, muricate on nerves; upper glume boat shaped, muricate on nerves, keeled. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma narrowly lanceolate, bidentate or entire, with a glabrous geniculate awn; palea much shorter. Grain oblong. Pedicelled spikelets smaller than but similar in shape to sessile spikelets, lanceolate, male or sterile, pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of 10 species from the Old World tropics, 4 in Australia. It includes V. zizanioides (L.) Nash which is the source of vetiver oil used in the production of perfumes and cosmetics, and has recently been used in the stabilization of irrigation ditches in Qld. The native species form dense tussocks on the banks of water-courses and on flood-plains.
Vetiveria in S.T.Blake, Monographic studies in the Australian Andropogoneae, Part 1. Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 18-24 (1944); J.W.Vickery, Vetiveria, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 36-37 (1961).
1 Sessile spikelets awnless + V. zizanioides
1: Sessile spikelets awned
2 Sessile spikelets more than 8 mm long;
callus more than 2.5 mm long
3 Inflorescence branches weak and filiform;
racemes 3.5-9 cm long 1. V. filipes
3: Inflorescence branches rather rigid;
racemes 1.5-4 cm long 2. V. rigida
2: Sessile spikelets less than 7.5 mm long;
callus less than 2 mm long
4 Callus hairs 0.75-1.5 mm long, more
or less fulvous; racemes 2-3-jointed 3. V. pauciflora
4: Callus hairs 2-3 mm long, whitish;
racemes 3-6-jointed 4. V. elongata
+This species has been cultivated in Qld, N.S.W and W.A. and is not treated further in this work. It has been recommended for establishment in Qld to combat soil erosion.
1. Vetiveria filipes (Benth.) C.E.Hubb., Bull. Misc. Inf. 1934: 444 (1934)
Chrysopogon elongatus var. filipes Benth. Fl. Austral. 7: 539 (1878); Andropogon elongatus var. filipes (Benth.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 565 (1889). T: Endeavour R., Qld, A.Cunningham s.n. syn, n.v.; Rockingham Bay, Qld, Dallachy s.n.; syn: MEL; Balonne R., Qld, Apr. 1846, T.L.Mitchell s.n., syn: MEL; isosyn: K (photo BRI); Rockhampton, Qld, O'Shanesy, s.n.: syn: MEL.
Chrysopogon gryllus var. spicigera Maid. & Betche in Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 24: 650 (1900). T: Narrabri, N.S.W., K.Maiden s.n.; holo: NSW, n.v.
Vetiveria intermedia S.T.Blake in Univ. Qld Dept. Biol. Pap. 2(3): 21 (1944). T: Magnetic Is., Qld, 24 Mar. 1935, S.T.Blake 8255; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, K.
Illustrations: J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 430 (1983).
Culms 70-100 cm tall, 3-6-noded, simple or sparsely branched. Leaf lamina 15-45 cm long, 3-6 mm. Inflorescence 15-30 long, 3-12 cm wide; branches in whorls of 3-5; racemes 3-7-jointed, 3.5-9 cm long; internodes 7-20 mm long, twice as long as pedicels, both scaberulous upwards and filiform. Sessile spikelets 8-10 mm long, lanceolate-linear, acute or acuminate; callus 2.5-3.5 mm long with hairs to 1.5 mm long; lower glume scaberulous all over, sparsely muricate on nerves, 5-nerved; upper glume mucronate; lower lemma 7-9 mm long, elliptic or elliptic-oblong, ciliate with reflexed hairs; upper lemma 8-10 mm long, elliptic to ovate, with awn 13-26 mm long; palea linear, c. 3 mm long. Anthers c. 2.5 mm long. Grain c. 4 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-8 mm long, neuter, narrowly lanceolate; lower glume 1-nerved; upper glume 2/3 as long as lower, acute to acuminate.; lower lemma linear-elliptic, obtuse; upper lemma narrowly elliptic, bilobed; upper palea linear. Anthers c. 2.5 mm long or absent. Australian vetiver. Fig. 5G-H.
Found on stream banks and flood flats of the open forest subcoastal country of tropical and sub-tropical Qld and N.S.W. and a few records from northern N.T. Extends to New Guinea. Readily eaten by stock. Flowers Nov.--Sept. Map 42.
N.T.: Finnis R., N.Byrnes 2795 (BRI, CANB, K, DNA). Qld: near Cooktown, Endeavour R., S.T.Blake 23230 (BRI, CANB); Emerald, C.E.Hubbard 7912 (BRI, CANB, K). N.S.W.: Collymongle, near Collarenebri, Sept. 1945, E.N.McKie s.n. (BRI).
2. V. rigida B.K. Simon, Austrobaileya 3:95 (1989)
T: Watson R. crossing on Merluna-Arukun road, Cape York Peninsula, Qld, 29 May 1982, J.R.Clarkson 4419; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, K, MBA, NSW, QRS.
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit., fig. 10 (1989).
Culms 130-150 cm tall, 3-4-noded, branched. Leaf lamina 30-50 cm long, 3-5 mm. Inflorescence 20-27 long, 8-10 cm wide; branches in whorls of 3-5; racemes 3-4-jointed, 3-4.5 cm long; internodes 4-11 mm long, twice as long as pedicels, both scaberulous upwards and filiform. Sessile spikelets 6-9 mm long, lanceolate-linear, acute; lower glume scaberulous, muricate on nerves, 3-nerved; upper glume 3-nerved, as long as lower, with awn to 2.5 mm long; lower lemma c. 6 mm long, oblanceolate, hyaline; upper lemma c. 2 mm long, stipitiform, bifid; awn 8-10 mm long; palea c. 2.5 mm long, lanceolate. Grain c. 3.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4-5 mm long, neuter, linear-lanceolate; lower glume 3-nerved; upper glume a little shorter; lower lemma c. 3 mm long; upper lemma c. 2 mm long. Fig. 5K-L.
Found in the same habitats as V. filipes but only in northern Qld. Flowers Apr.--May. Map 43.
Qld: 22 km N of Weipa turnoff on Peninsula Development Rd, J.R.Clarkson 8852 & V.J.Neldner (B, BRI, DNA, NSW); York Downs on Myall Ck, A.Morton 1198 (BRI, MEL); 26 km E of Myall Ck on Weipa - Coen road, J.R.Clarkson 9007 & V.J.Neldner (BRI, K, MBA, NSW).
3. Vetiveria pauciflora S.T.Blake in Univ. Qld Biol. Pap. 2(3): 20 (1944)
T: Bank of O'Shanassy R., Qld, 19 Apr. 1935, S.T.Blake 8639; holo: BRI.
Chrysopogon aciculatus var. elatior Benth, Fl. Austral. 7: 538 (1878). T: Abel Tasman R., N.T., F.Mueller s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: MEL (photo BRI).
Illustration: C.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1 (1): pl. 94b (1952).
Culms 60-120 cm tall, 4-6-noded, simple. Leaf lamina to 55 cm long, 2.5-5 mm. Inflorescence 11-17 long, 1.2-5.5 cm wide; branches to 3.5 cm long. Racemes 2-3-jointed, 12-22 cm long; internodes 3.5-6.5 mm long, twice as long as pedicels. Sessile spikelets 4.5-7 mm long, lanceolate-linear; callus 1-2 mm long with hairs 0.8-1.5 mm long; lower glume very narrowly truncate, with subhyaline area at apex, scaberulous, sparsely muricate on nerves, 4-5-nerved; upper glume mucronate or muticous; lower lemma retrorsely ciliate; upper lemma 3-4 mm long; awn 1.5-15 mm long; palea 1.5-2 mm long. Anthers 1.1-1.2 mm long. Grain c. 3 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4.5-7.5 mm long, male; lower glume 7-nerved; upper glume 3-nerved; lower lemma oblong, obtuse; upper lemma narrowly elliptic or oblanceolate. Anthers 3-4.5 mm long. Fig. 5E-F.
Creek banks and flood-flats in tropical W.A., N.T. and Qld. Flowers Apr.--Jun. & Sept.--Oct. Map 44.
W.A.: Bindelong Ck, 50 mi SW of Wyndam Pumping Stn, E.M.Scrymgeour 1774 (PERTH). N.T.: Nicholson R. area, T.S.Henshall 390 (BRI, CANB, DNA); Oenpelli, R.L.Specht 1304 (BRI, MEL). Qld: 0.2 km W of Watson R. crossing on Merluna-Aurukun road, J.R.Clarkson 4479 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, QRS); 9 m W of Westmoreland, R.A.Perry 1276 (BRI, CANB).
4. Vetiveria elongata (R.Br.) Stapf ex C.E.Hubb. in Bull. Misc. Inf. 1934: 444 (1934)
Holcus elongatus R.Br. Prodr. 200 (1810); Sorghum elongatum (R.Br.) P.Beauv. Ess. Agrostogr. 178 (1812); Andropogon elongatus (R.Br.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 1: 287 (1825); Chrysopogon elongatus (R.Br.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 538 (1878); Rhaphis elongata (R.Br.) Chase, Contrib. U.S. Nat. Herb. 24: 205 (1925). T: Coen R., Qld, 7 Nov. 1802, R.Brown [6193]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI), MEL (photo BRI).
Culms to 250 cm tall. Leaf lamina to 50 cm long, 8 mm. Inflorescence 15-30 long, 2-3 cm wide; branches to 4.5 cm long; racemes 3-6-jointed, 1.5-2.5 cm long; internodes 3.2-4.2 mm long, longer than pedicels. Sessile spikelets 5-7 mm long, lanceolate-linear, acute; callus 1.6-2.2 mm long with hairs to 3 mm long; lower glume muticous, 5-8-nerved; upper glume mucronate; lower lemma sparsely ciliate; upper lemma 3-nerved; awn 4-7 mm long. Anthers c. 1 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5.5-6.5 mm long, male, subulate-lanceolate; lower glume smooth except for scaberulous keels. Anthers 3-4 mm long. Fig. 5J-I.
Creek banks and flood flats of areas round the Gulf of Carpentaria, N.T. and Qld a coastal region north of Cairns, Qld. Flowers Apr.--Sept. & Dec.--Jan. Map 45.
N.T.: Yirrkala, R.L.Specht 839 (BRI, CANB); Wessel Is., P.A.Latz 3410 (CANB, DNA, MO, NSW); 250 km ENE of Darwin, R.Story 8351 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: 4.5 km from Watson R. crossing on Aurukun-Merluna road, J.R.Clarkson 4058 (BRI, CANB, MBA, NSW, QRS); Gregory R., near confluence with Nicholson R., B.K.Simon 3084 & T.Farrell (BRI, CANB).
14. CHRYSOPOGON
Chrysopogon Trin. Fund. Agrost.: 187 (1820), nom. conserv.; from the Greek chrysos (golden) and pogon (beard), alluding to the golden hairs on the inflorescence.
Type: C.gryllus (L.) Trin.
Compactly tufted or rhizomatous perennials, geniculate at lower nodes or erect from base. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a hair-fringed or unfringed membrane, short. Inflorescence a terminal open panicle with capillary branches; branches 1-2-jointed; racemes solitary; internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, laterally compressed. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume cartilagious, clasping margins of upper glume, lanceolate, 2-keeled in the upper third, slightly convex on back, truncate or notched; upper glume lanceolate or linear, boat shaped, awned, not keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma linear, bilobed, awned, with a geniculate or hairy awn or awnless; palea much shorter. Grain narrowly ellipsoid. Pedicelled spikelets similar in shape to sessile spikelets, male, pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of 26 species from tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, mainly on the Indian subcontinent; 6 species in Australia, 5 of them endemic. Some species are well regarded as providing good fodder. C.aciculatus is regarded as a weed in northern Qld.
S.T.Blake, Chrysopogon in Monographic studies in the Australian Andropogoneae, Part 1, Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 4-18 (1944); C.A.Gardner, Chrysopogon, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 320-323 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Chrysopogon, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 33-35 (1961).
1 Awn of upper lemma to 7 mm long or absent
2 Creeping plant with flat or folded
leaf lamina; upper lemma shortly awned 1. C. aciculatus
2: Tufted plant with setaceous leaf
lamina; upper lemma unawned 2. C. setifolius
1: Awn of upper lemma at least 15 mm long
3 Callus 4-6 mm long 3. C. pallidus
3: Callus 1.5-3.5 mm long
4 Leaf lamina 1-2 cm wide 4. C. latifolius
4: Leaf lamina much less than
1 cm wide
5 Lower leaf sheaths not flattened,
breaking up into fibres; racemes
mostly 1-jointed 5. C. fallax
5: Lower leaf sheaths flattened,
not breaking up into fibres; racemes
mostly 2-jointed 6. C. sylvaticus
1. Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin., Fund. Agrost. 188 (1820)
Andropogon aciculatus Retz., Observ. Bot. 5: 22 (1789). T: Ind. or., C.Koenig s.n.; holo: C (photo BRI); iso: LD (fragment & photo BRI).
Illustrations: E.E.Henty, A manual of the grasses of New Guinea, t. 15 (1969); H.B.Gilliland, A revised flora of Malaya, Vol. 3 (Grasses of Malaya) fig. 52 (1971); C.--C.Hsu, Taiwan grasses pl.222 (1975).
Culms rhizomatous, geniculately ascending from prostrate base, to 50 cm tall, simple or branched from top nodes. Leaf lamina 2-15 cm long, 3-5 mm wide. Inflorescence 5-10 cm long; branches in whorls of 4-9; racemes 1-jointed with internodes and pedicels 2-3 mm long. Sessile spikelets 6-10 mm long, linear; callus 6-10 mm long with hairs to 1 mm long; lower glume very narrowly subtruncate, 2-3-nerved; upper glume 1-3-nerved, acute, to acuminate with awnlet to 3 mm long; lower lemma 2.3-2.75 mm long; upper lemma 2.5-3 mm long with awn 3.5-7 mm long; palea 1.5-2 mm long. Anthers c. 1 mm long. Grain 2-2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4-6 mm long, male; lower glume 5-7-nerved, cuspidate; upper glume a little shorter, acute to acuminate; lower lemma 3-4.5 mm long; upper lemma 2-4 mm long; palea 1.25-1.5 mm long, obtuse. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Mackie's Pest.
Occurs mainly in NE Qld often as a weed. A few records in N.T. and SE Qld. Extends through Malesia to Taiwan and India. Flowers Jan.--Nov. Map 46.
N.T.: Berrimah Research Farm, M.Rankin 2804 (DNA). Qld: Chillagoe, C.E.Hubbard 6802 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K); between Ingham and Toobanna, C.E.Hubbard 6906 & C.W.Winders (BRI, CANB, K); Innisfail, C.E.Hubbard 6685 & C.W.Winders (BRI, CANB, K); Sandgate, Mar. 1917, C.T.White s.n. (BRI).
2. Chrysopogon setifolius Stapf in Bull. Misc. Inf. 1917: 29 (1917)
T: Port Darwin, N.T., M.Schultz 661; holo: K (photo BRI).
Culms densely to loosely tufted, c. 40 cm tall, simple. Leaf lamina to 20 cm long, 0.75 mm wide, subsetaceous. Inflorescence to 9 cm long; branches 5-20 cm long, single or in whorls of 2-4. Sessile spikelets lanceolate-linear, c. 8 mm long; callus with hairs to 2 mm long; lower glume aculeolate towards margins in upper half, 9-nerved; upper glume 6-7-nerved, as long as lower; lower lemma to 7 mm long, hyaline or ciliate with reflexed hairs; upper lemma 4-5 mm long, acute and unawned; palea c. 2.5 mm long, represented by 2 linear ciliate-nerved scales. Pedicelled spikelets c. 8 mm long, male; lower glume 9-nerved; upper glume 5-nerved; lower lemma 6 mm long; upper lemma c. 5 mm long. Anthers c. 2.5 mm long. Fig. 5A-B.
A rare species from only a few localities in northern tropical Australia. Flowers Oct.-Dec. Map 47.
W.A. Kununurra, P.Gowland 486 (DNA). N.T.: Cannon Hill, J.Must 1160 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K); Oenpelli, R.L.Specht 1242 (BRI, CANB, MEL, NSW); 3 m NE of Finnis R., N.Byrnes 2797 (CANB, DNA). Qld: 25 km ENE of Weipa, R.L.Specht W211 & R.B.Salt (BRI).
3. Chrysopogon pallidus (R.Br.) Trin. ex Steud. in Nomencl. Bot. ed.2, 1: 360 (1840)
Holcus pallidus R.Br., Prodr. 199 (1810); Pollinia pallida (R.Br.) Roemer & Schultes, Syst. 2: 829 (1817); Andropogon pallidus (R.Br.) Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1: 165 (1829); Chrysopogon gryllus var. pallidus (R.Br.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 537 (1878); Andropogon gryllus subsp. pallidus (R.Br.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 552 (1889)-as to synonymy only; Chrysopogon gryllus subsp. pallidus (R.Br.) Domin in Biblioth. Bot. 85: 272 (1915). T: "Island l" [Maria Is.], N.T., 1 Jan. 1803, R.Brown [6190]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: BRI, K (photo BRI), MEL (fragment AD; photo BRI).
Andropogon gryllus subsp. calcaratus Hack., op. cit. 553 (1889); Chrysopogon gryllus subsp. calcaratus (Hack.) Domin. T: Victoria R., N.T., F.Mueller s.n.; holo: W (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI), MEL (photo BRI).
Culms densely tufted, 100-130 cm tall, 3-5-noded, sparsely branched. Leaf lamina to 40 cm long, 6 mm. Inflorescence 18-30 long, 3-6 cm wide; branches to 10 cm long, in whorls of up to 15; racemes 1-jointed with internodes and pedicels 4-5.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 10-13 mm long, narrowly lanceolate or oblanceolate; callus 4-5.5 mm long with hairs to 2.5 mm long; lower glume muticous or with awns to 9.5 mm long, cartilaginous, 5-9-nerved; upper glume obtuse with awn 11-18 mm long; lower lemma c. 6.5 mm long, ciliate; upper lemma 5.5-6.3 mm long with awn 42-70 mm long; palea 2.5-4.5 mm long. Anthers 3-5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 11-14 mm long, male, lanceolate; lower glume 7-nerved; upper glume subequal, narrowly obtuse; lower lemma subacute, 6.5-10.5 mm long; upper lemma 7-9.5 mm long, acute, bilobed; palea 3.5-6 mm long, obtuse, ciliolate on margins apically. Anthers 5.5-8 mm long. Ribbon grass, Golden beard grass. Fig. 5C-D.
Fairly widespread in tropical W.A., N.T. and Qld and subtropical N.T. on sandy soils. Although drought resistant and able to withstand grazing it is only of moderate fodder value. Flowers Nov.--Jan. Map 48.
W.A. Broome, C.A.Gardner 7031 (PERTH). N.T. Near Nutwood Downs, S.T.Blake 17584 (BRI); 62.5 km N of Katherine, M.H.Andrew 251 (BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW). Qld: Near St. Georges R. bridge on old road to Kimba, J.R.Clarkson 5114 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, QRS); Creen Ck, 21 mi N of Croydon, D.E.Symon 4921 (AD, BRI, CANB, K).
4. Chrysopogon latifolius S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Dept. Biol. Pap. 2(3): 7 (1944)
T: Without definite locality, N.T., July--Aug. 1911, J.A.Gilruth & W.B.Spencer s.n.; holo: MEL (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Culms densely tufted, to 100 cm tall, branched from upper nodes. Leaf lamina c. 60 cm long, 10-20 mm. Inflorescence 20-25 long, to 4 cm wide; branches 2-6 cm long, in whorls of up to 30; racemes 1 or rarely 2-jointed with internodes and pedicels 4.2-5.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 7.7-8 mm long, lanceolate-linear; callus 2-2.4 mm long with hairs to 2 mm long; lower glume narrowly truncate, incurved, cartilaginous, 4-5-nerved; upper glume with awn 9-13 mm long; lower lemma 3.8-4.7 mm long, ciliate; upper lemma 4.5-5 mm long with awn 37-43 mm long; palea 2.4-2.8 mm long. Anthers 2.2-3.5 mm long. Grain c. 3.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet 7.5-9 mm long, male, lanceolate; lower glume 7-nerved with awn 6-13 mm long; upper glume subequal, acute, muticous or aristulate; lower lemma 6-7 mm long; upper lemma 5-5.6 mm long; palea 3.2-3.5 mm long. Anthers 3.5-5 mm long.
From tropical W.A. and N.T. growing in wet areas or Eucalyptus woodlands on sandy soils. Flowers Sept.--June. Map 49.
W.A.: 16 mi S of Mt. House Stn, M.Lazarides 5156 (BRI, CANB). N.T. Cadell River Gardens, P.A.Latz 3001 (BRI, DNA); Arnhem Hwy, 36 km E of Adelaide R., B.K.Simon 3640 & M.H.Andrew (BRI, DNA); Oenpelli Rd, Cannon Hill turnoff, P.Martensz & R.Schodde AE 787 (CANB, DNA, K, L); 5.2 km W of Mary R. Bridge on Arnhem Hwy, M.H.Andrew 370 (BRI, CANB, DNA).
5. Chrysopogon fallax S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Dept. Biol. Pap. 2(3): 9 (1944)
T: Emerald, Qld, 18 Mar. 1935, S.T.Blake 8108; holo: BRI; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH.
C. gryllus subvar. pilosus Domin in Biblioth. Bot. 85: 272 (1915). T: Jericho Qld, Mar. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI).
[Holcus gryllus auct. non (L.) R.Br.; R.Br. Prodr. 199 (1810)]
[Chrysopogon gryllus auct. non (L.) Trin.; G.Bentham, Fl. Austral. 7:537 (1878)]
[Andropogon gryllus auct. non L.; F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 121 (1873)]
Illustrations: F.Turner, Agric. Gaz. N.S.W. 11: 852 (1900) as Chrysopogon gryllus; J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 160 (1983); R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley Region W. Australia t. 28 (1983).
Culms densely tufted, erect or geniculate at base, 30-120 cm tall, simple or branched. Leaf lamina 5-45 cm long, c. 7 mm. Inflorescence 7-21 long, 2.5-7 cm wide; branches c. 6 cm long, in whorls of up to 16; racemes 1 or rarely 2-jointed with internodes and pedicels 3.5-7 mm long. Sessile spikelets 9-11 mm long, narrowly lanceolate, acute; callus 1.7-3.5 mm long with hairs to 2 mm long; lower glume narrowly truncate 2-toothed or 2-awned, cartilaginous, 5-7-nerved; upper glume 3-5-nerved with awn 5.5-18 mm long; lower lemma 5-7.5 mm long; upper lemma shortly 5.5-7 mm long, 2-lobed, with awn 20-45 mm long; palea 3.2-4.2 mm long. Anthers 3-5 mm long. Grain 3.5-4 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 9-13 mm long, male or neuter, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate; lower glume 7-9-nerved with awn 2-15 mm long; upper glume a little shorter, acute, muticous or aristulate; lower lemma subacute, 7-10.5 mm long; upper lemma 6-9.5 mm long, acute; palea c. 4.5 mm long. Anthers 3-5 mm long. Golden beardgrass.
Found in all mainland states except Vic. in subtropical and tropical areas on a variety of soils; mainly in open forests. It has some forage value but not very productive and is resistant to drought and heavy grazing. Flowers Oct.--July. Map 50.
W.A.: 47 km from Gascoyne Junction on road to Minnie Creek Stn, B.K.Simon & J.K.Stretch (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Waite Ck floodout, P.A.Latz 2070 (CANB, DNA, PERTH). S.A.: Cordillo Downs, L.D.Williams 7666 (AD). Qld: Milmerran, C.E.Hubbard 5844 (BRI, K, MEL, NSW). N.S.W.: Gundabooka, D.L.W.Henderson 475 (BRI, MEL, NSW).
6. Chrysopogon sylvaticus C.E.Hubb. Icon. Pl., 34: t.3365 (1938)
T: Near Moggill, Qld, April 1931, C.E.Hubbard 8587; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Illustrations: C.E.Hubbard, loc. cit.
Culms tufted, erect or geniculate at base, 30-120 cm tall, branched or rarely simple. Leaf lamina 50 cm long, 2.5-6 mm. Inflorescence 8-18 long, 7-13 cm wide; branches to 8 cm long, in whorls of up to 11; racemes 1-3-jointed, 1-3.5 cm long with internodes and pedicels 5.5-7 mm long. Sessile spikelets 7.3-9.7 mm long; narrow oblong-lanceolate; callus 1.3-2 mm long with hairs 2.5-3.5 mm long; lower glume narrowly truncate or mucronate, cartilaginous, 7-nerved; upper glume 3-nerved with awn 3-5 mm long; lower lemma to 5 mm long, ciliolate; upper lemma c. 5 mm long, shortly 2-lobed, with awn 17-25 mm long; palea 2.8-4 mm long. Anthers c. 3 mm long. Grain 3.5-4 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet 3-7.3 mm long, neuter or male, linear to lanceolate; lower glume 5-7-nerved; upper glume slightly shorter, acutely bidentate; lower lemma c. 5.5 mm long; upper lemma c. 4.5 mm long, bilobed with awn to 3 mm long; palea c. 3 mm long or absent. Anthers c. 3.5 mm long.
Growing in Eucalyptus forests of SE Qld and adjacent N.S.W. particularly on somewhat stony hillsides. Flowers Dec.--July. Map 51.
Qld; Shoalwater Bay, S.T.Blake 15535 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB, K, L); Neerdie-Kia Ora road, 1 km from Neerdie, B.K.Simon 2536 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, K); Mt. Coot-tha, Brisbane, C.E.Hubbard 2006 (BRI, K); Mt. Petrie, C.E.Hubbard 2156 (BRI, K). N.S.W.: Unmagar, base of Mt. Lindsay, C.T.White 12602 (BRI, CANB, NSW).
15. BOTHRIOCHLOA
Bothriochloa Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 762 (1891); from the Greek bothros (pit) and chloa (grass), alluding to the pitted glumes.
Type: B. anamitica Kuntze = B. bladhii (Retz.) S.T.Blake
Andropogon sect. Gymnandropogon (Nees) Benth, Fl. Austral. 7: 528 (1878) in part.
Amphilophis Nash in Britton, Man. Fl. North. Unit. States 71 (1901). T: A. torreyanus (Steud.) Nash
Compactly or loosely tufted or rhizomatous perennials, geniculate at lower nodes or from base, sometimes aromatic. Leaf lamina linear; ligule an unfringed or hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate or subdigitate; racemes solitary or grouped together; internodes and pedicels slender, with a hyaline median line. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed, with a blunt callus. Glumes ± similar; lower glume membranous or chartaceous, 2-keeled, convex or flattened on back, sometimes conspicuously pitted; upper glume slightly smaller. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, shortly bilobed, with a geniculate awn, hairy in lower half; palea present or absent. Caryopsis oblong, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets similar in shape to or smaller than sessile spikelets, male or sterile, pedicels free of rachis.
A pantropic genus of c. 35 species. Most species are useful for forage and a few pasture species and cultivars have been introduced to Australia. Of the 7 species native to Australia 6 are endemic. Three introduced species have become naturalised.
S.T.Blake, Bothriochloa in Monographic Studies in the Australian Andropogoneae, Part 1, Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2 (3): 24-41 (1944); J.W.Vickery, Bothriochloa, Fl. New South Wales 19 (1): 39-45 (1961); S.T.Blake, Bothriochloa in Taxonomic and nomenclatural studies in the Gramineae, No. 1, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 62-65 (1969).
1 Awned lemmas bilobed
2 Rachis internode c. 7 mm long 1. B. bunyensis
2: Rachis internode c. 5 mm long
3 Raceme hairs densely silky, up to
8 mm long 2. B. erianthoides
3: Raceme hairs slightly silky, up to
5 mm long 3. B. biloba
1: Awned lemmas entire
4 Pedicelled spikelets ± similar
to the sessile spikelet
5 Racemes not subdigitate, on a main axis
4-14 cm long 4. B. bladhii
5: Racemes subdigitate, on a main axis
less than 4 cm long
6 Spikelets not or very rarely pitted;
leaf lamina with a distinctive white
marginal band 5. B. ewartiana
6: Spikelets always pitted; leaf lamina without
a distinctive white marginal band
7 Sessile spikelets 4-5 mm long, glabrous to
slightly hairy in the basal part 6. B. insculpta
7: Sessile spikelets 3.5-4 mm long, with white
hairs in the basal part 7. B. pertusa
4: Pedicelled spikelets very different from
the sessile spikelet
8 Inflorescence a densely flowered contracted
panicle with long silky hairs on internodes
and pedicels + B. saccharoides
8: Inflorescence subdigitate and loosely flowerd,
slightly hairy on internodes and pedicels
9 Sessile spikelets 5-7 mm long;
stamens 3 8. B. macra
9: Sessile spikelets 4.75-5.25 mm long;
stamens 1 9. B. decipiens
+ Cultivated species; not treated further in this work. B. saccharoides Sw.(Rydb.) is reported to have escaped at Black Mtn, A.C.T. but does not persist.
1. Bothriochloa bunyensis B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 1: 455 (1982)
T: Mt. Mowbullan, Bunya Mtns, Qld, B.K.Simon 3530; holo: BRI; iso: AD, B, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH, PRE.
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit. fig. 32 (1982).
Rhizomatous or densely tufted with culms to 60 cm tall and simple. Leaf lamina to 12 cm long, 2-5 mm. Inflorescence digitate, with axis 11-15 mm long; peduncles 6-16 mm long; racemes 2-4, 5-12-jointed, 5-10 cm; internodes and pedicels the same length, villous, 7-8 mm long. Sessile spikelets 8-9 long, 1.7-2 mm wide, lanceolate; lower glume not pitted, spinulose-scabrous on keels in apical third, glabrous, 13-nerved; upper glume sparsely scaberulous on keel in upper part; lower lemma ovate-oblong, glabrous; upper lemma linear, shortly 2-lobed; awn 20 mm long; upper palea c. 1 mm long, broadly ovate, jagged at apex. Anthers 1.5-2 mm long. Grain c. 3 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 12-13 mm long, neuter, subulate, reduced to lower glume.
Restricted to Bunya Monuntains and adjacent regions of the Great Divide in Qld. Flowers Jan.--May. Map 52.
Qld: Horse Gully, Bunya Mtns, M.Peart 354 (BRI, CANB), B.K.Simon 3525 (BRI, CANB, K, MO, NSW); near Guest House, Bunya Mtns, Mar. 1944, M.S.Clemens s.n. (BRI); Mount Lowe, Mistake Plateau, P.Young 1119 (BRI); Geham Scientific Reserve, M.J.Russel, Mar. 1984 (BRI). s.n. (BRI).
2. Bothriochloa erianthoides (F.Muell.) C.E.Hubb. in Bull. Misc. Inf. 1934: 444 (1935)
Andropogon erianthoides F.Muell., Fragm. 10: 75 (1876); Amphilophis erianthoides (F.Muell.) Roschev., Zlaki 570 (1937). T: Springsure, Qld, E.Wuth s.n., lecto: MEL (photo BRI); isolecto: W, n.v. (photo BRI), fide S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 26 (1944).
Illustrations: F.Turner, Agric. Gaz. N.S.W. 2: t. 36 (1891); D.J.B.Wheeler, S.W.L.Jacobs & B.E.Norton, Grasses of New South Wales, fig. 5a (1982).
Densely tufted, with culms to 100 cm tall, simple or rarely branched. Leaf lamina 7-30 cm long, 5-8 mm wide; ligule 1.5-4 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate or sometimes with racemes spreading; axis 7-10 mm long; peduncles 4-10 mm long; racemes 3-5, 6-10 cm long; internodes shorter than pedicels, densely villous on margins and back. Sessile spikelets 7-8 mm long, lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong; lower glume very narrowly truncate, densely long hairy on back and margins, 9-18-nerved; upper glume lanceolate-acute, rudimentary; lower lemma ovate-oblong, ciliolate, hairy on back; upper lemma linear, bifid for 1/4 linear lobes; awn 16-18 mm long; upper palea c. 2 mm long, broadly ovate, jagged at apex. Anthers c. 2.5 mm long. Grain 3-3.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-4 mm long, neuter, linear-oblong or linear; lower glume 7-nerved. Satintop grass. Fig. 6I-L.
Found on clay soils of the western plains and slopes of the Gt Divide in central to southern Qld and northern N.S.W (rare). Regarded as an excellent drought resistant fodder grass but it has now been eaten out from areas it once occupied. Flowers Dec.--Sept. Map 53.
Qld: Mt. Emu Plains Stn, C.E.Hubbard 7536 & C.W.Winders (BRI, CANB, K); c. 4 miles ( km) W of Isaac R. and Broadmeadow Homestead, R.Story & Yapp 114 (BRI, CANB, NSW); Jondaryan, S.T.Blake 7745 (BRI, MEL); Macalister, C.E.Hubbard 6456 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K). N.S.W.: Moree, Mar. 1962, F.W.Cutting s.n. (NSW).
3. Bothriochloa biloba S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Papers, Dept. Biol. 2(3): 27 (1944)
T: Warialda, N.S.W., May 1908, E.J.Hadley s.n., holo: BRI; iso: NSW.
Illustrations: D.J.B.Wheeler, S.W.L.Jacobs & B.E.Norton, Grasses of New South Wales, fig. 4d (1982).
Culms 50-100 cm tall, erect or geniculate at base, branching from nodes. Leaf lamina 7-20 cm long, 3-5 mm wide; ligule 1-2 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate, with axis 7-15 mm long; peduncles 2.5-10 mm long; racemes 3-6, 4-10 cm; internodes and pedicels the same length, villous with white or purplish tinted hairs, 3.5-4.6 mm long. Sessile spikelets 6.5-8 mm long, linear-elliptic to lanceolate; callus 0.7-1 mm long; lower glume very narrowly truncate or acute, scabrous-ciliate on keels, pilose in lower half, margins ciliate in upper part, 13-15-nerved; upper glume 0-nerved, mucronulate, rudimentary; lower lemma ovate-lanceolate; upper lemma bifid with filiform lobes 0.75-1.5 mm long; awn to 25 mm long; upper palea 1-2 mm long, ovate to obovate, jagged and ciliate at apex. Anthers 1.5-1.8 mm long. Grain 3.2-3.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4.2-5.7 mm long, neuter, linear-lanceolate; lower glume 9-11-nerved. Fig. 6F-H.
Found on clay soils of the Darling Downs, Qld and the tablelands and western slopes of the Gt Divide in northern N.S.W. extending to Sydney. It is thought to be of limited fodder value. Flowers Nov.--Jun. Map 54.
Qld: near Oakey, S.T.Blake 20340 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH); Tummaville, C.T.White 12451 (BRI). N.S.W.: Belltrees, via Scone, Feb. 1920, H.L.White (BRI, NSW); Warialda, Nov. 1933, G.B.Vickery (BRI, NSW); 16 miles ( km) SE of Coolah, R.Story 7056 (BRI, CANB, NSW).
4. Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T.Blake, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qd. 80: 62 (1969)
Andropogon bladhii Retz., Observ. Bot. 2: 27 (1781); Dichanthium bladhii (Retz.) W.D.Clayton, Kew Bull. 32: 3 (1977). T: China, P.J.Bladh in hb. Retzius; holo: LD (photo BRI, K).
Andropogon intermedius R.Br. Prodr. 202 (1810); Sorghum intermedium (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 792 (1891); Amphilophis intermedia (R.Br.) Stapf in Agric. News, W. Indies 15: 179 (1916) in obs.; Bothriochloa intermedia (R.Br.) A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon n.s. 76: 164 (1931); Dichanthium intermedium (R.Br.) de Wet & Harlan, Amer. J. Bot. 53: 97 (1966). T: Keppel Bay, Qld, 10 Aug. 1802, R.Brown [6184]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon haenkei J.S.Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1:340 (1830); Amphilophis glabra (Roxb.) Stapf var. haenkei (J.S.Presl) E.G. & A.Camus in Lecomte, Fl. Gen. Indo-Chine 7: 311 (1922); Amphilophis haenkei (J.S.Presl) Haines, Bot. Bihar & Orissa 1029 (1924); Bothriochloa glabra (Roxb.) A.Camus subsp. haenkei (J.S.Presl) Henr. Blumea 3: 456 (1940); Bothriochloa haenkei (J.S.Presl) Ohwi, Acta Phytotax. & Geobot. 11: 168 (1942). T: Marianne Is. and Luzon Is., Philippines, T.Haenke s.n., syn: PR (photo BRI).
Rhaphis stricta Nees in Hook. J. Bot. Kew Misc. 2: 99 (1850); Andropogon leptanthus Steud., Synops. Pl. Glumac. 1: 391 (1854). T: Philippines, H.Cuming 1400; holo: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon inundatus F.Muell., Linnaea 25: 444 (1853); Bothriochloa inundata (F.Muell.) J.M.Black, Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. S. Aust. 60: 163 (1936). T: Near Crystal Brook, S.A., Oct. 1851, F.Mueller s.n.; holo: MEL (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI), W, n.v. (photo BRI).
Bothriochloa anamitica Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 762 (1891). T: Annam, China, Turong; O.Kuntze s.n.; holo: NY, n.v. (photo BRI).
[Dichanthium annulatum auct. non. (Forssk.) Stapf; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1: 328 (1952)]
Densely tufted or erect or geniculate at base with culms 50-150 cm tall, simple or sparsely branched. Leaf lamina 10-30 cm long, 3-8 mm. Inflorescence a panicle of racemes, with axis 3-14 mm long; peduncles 10-15 mm long; racemes 1.8-5 cm; internodes ciliate. Sessile spikelets 3-4 mm long, elliptic-oblong; lower glume narrowly obtuse, slightly depressed, rarely pitted in upper part, scabrous-ciliate on keels, pilose on back in lower third, 5-7-nerved; upper glume 3-4-nerved, lanceolate or oblong, sparsely scaberulous on keel in upper part, lower lemma oblong or narrow-oblong, glabrous; upper lemma stipitiform; awn 11-17.5 mm long. Anthers c. 1.5 mm long. Grain c. 2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-4 mm long, male or neuter, linear-oblong or linear-lanceolate; lower glume 7-11-nerved. Anthers 1.2-1.5 mm long; upper glume shorter or rudimentary.
There are two subspecies.
Sessile spikelets not or very rarely pitted,
3.5-4 mm long 4a. subsp. bladhii
Sessile spikelets always pitted, 3-3.5 mm long 4b. subsp. glabra
4a. Bothriochloa bladhii subsp. bladhii
Illustrations: F.Turner, Australian Grasses 1: 5 (1895) as Andropogon intermedius; R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley Region W. Australia, t. 13 (1983); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 126 (1983).
Forest bluegrass
An important and widespread native forage grass of Eucalyptus forests and woodlands of the Australian tropics and subtropics, particularly on heavy soils.
Found in all mainland states except Vic; possibly naturalised in S.A. Extends through New Guinea and SE Asia to India. Flowers Oct.-Aug. Map 55.
W.A.: Hall's Creek, C.A.Gardner 7156 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: El Sharana, P.Martensz AE596 (BRI, CANB, DNA). S.A.: Crystal Brook, Oct. 1851, F.Mueller s.n. (MEL, K, W). Qld: near Gayndah, S.T.Blake 20013 (BRI, NSW, K). N.S.W.: Bathurst Farm, Jan. 1922, J.N.Whittet s.n. (BRI, NSW).
4b. Bothriochloa bladhii subsp. glabra (Roxb.) B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 3:79 (1989)
Andropogon glaber Roxb., Fl. Ind. 1: 271 (1820); Amphilophis glabra (Roxb.) Stapf, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 174 (1917); Bothriochloa glabra (Roxb.) A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, n.s. 6: 164 (1931). T: Bengal, India, W.Roxburgh; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations
Naturalised in a few localities of Qld and N.S.W. Tropical Africa to Taiwan. Flowers Apr. Map 56.
Qld: Wendy Allison Park, Strathpine, Brisbane, Qld, W.J.Bisset B185 (BRI); 28 km SW of Calliope, E.R.Anderson 4652 (BRI). NSW: Tabulam, N.Lloyd 1161 (BRI).
5. Bothriochloa ewartiana (Domin) C.E.Hubb. in Bull. Misc. Inf. 1934: 444 (1935)
Andropogon ewartianus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 269 (1915); Dichanthium ewartianum (Domin) Gardn., Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 328 (1952). T: Hughenden, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (fragment NSW; photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, op. cit. 328 (1952); D.J.B.Wheeler, S.W.L.Jacobs & B.E.Norton, Grasses of New South Wales fig. 4a (1982).
Densely tufted or erect or geniculate at base with culms 30-60 cm tall, simple or branched. Leaf lamina 15 cm long, 3-6 mm. Inflorescence subdigitate or a panicle of racemes, with axis 1-2.5 cm long; peduncles 2.5-7 mm long; racemes 4-11 3.5-7 cm. long, hairs increasing upwards, 1.75-2.2 mm long. Sessile spikelets 3.5-4.5 mm long, narrowly elliptic or elliptic-oblong or oblanceolate; lower glume acute or narrowly obtuse, densely long hairy in lower half, 9-11-nerved; lower lemma oblong, ciliate at apex; upper lemma stipitiform; awn 17-25 mm long. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Grain c. 2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3.3-4.6 mm long, neuter or rarely male, narrow lanceolate; lower glume 9-11-nerved. Anthers c. 1.5 mm long. Desert bluegrass.
A valuable drought resistant fodder grass of the drier grasslands and Eucalyptus forests. Found in all mainland states except Vic. Flowers all year. Map 57.
W.A.: Rawlison Range, A.S.George 4873 (PERTH). N.T.; O.T. Downs Stn, S.T.Blake 17717 (BRI, MEL). S.A.: Stuart Creek Stn, F.Badman 145 (AD, NSW). Qld: near source of Poison Ck, 90 mi N of Hughenden, S.T.Blake 8595 (BRI, CANB, K). N.S.W.: Lightning Ridge, Apr. 1983, N.Lloyd s.n. (BRI, NSW, US).
6. Bothriochloa insculpta (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, n.s. 76: 165 (1931)
Andropogon insculptus Hochst. ex A.Rich. Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 458 (1851); Amphilophis insculpta (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) Stapf, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 176 (1917); Dichanthium insculptum (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) W.D.Clayton in Kew Bull. 32: 3 (1977). T: Mt. Sholoda, Ethiopia, G.H.W.Schimper 80; holo: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations: D.Meredith, The grasses and pastures of South Africa t. 15 (1955); Lucy K.A.Chippindall & A.O.Crook, Grasses of southern Africa pt 24 (1976); W.J.Bisset in Creeping bluegrass finds favour, Qld Agric. J. 104: 248, fig. 1 & 249, fig. 1 (1978).
Culms 25-200 cm tall, geniculately ascending from prostrate base, often branching from nodes. Leaf lamina 4-30 cm long, 2-8 mm wide; ligule c. 2 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate, with axis to 30 mm long; racemes 4-20 long, 2-8 cm; internodes and pedicels the same length. Sessile spikelets 4-5 mm long, narrowly elliptic; lower glume pitted in upper part, scabrous-ciliate on keels, loosely hairy in lower third, 11-13-nerved; upper glume lanceolate-acute, spinulose-scabrous on keel in upper 1/4, awn 20-25 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3.8-4.8 mm long, neuter, linear-lanceolate; lower glume with 1-2 pits. Creeping bluegrass.
Tropical Africa, Yemen and India. Introduced to Australia where it is highly valued as a forage grass, especially cvs. Hatch and Bisset. It has become naturalised in central coastal and SE Qld. Flowers Nov.--Jan. Map 58.
Qld: 4 km NW of Miriamvale, Jan. 1977, W.J.Bisset s.n. (BRI); Nankin, W.J.Bisset R7 (BRI); Murilla Shire, May 1984, T.Watts s.n. (BRI); Warwick, May 1985, I.F.Swann (BRI); Indooroopilly, Apr. 1984, M.Thomas s.n. (BRI).
7. Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, n.s. 76: 164 (1931)
Holcus pertusus L. Mant. Alt. 301 (1771); Andropogon pertusus (L.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 922 (1806). T: India, LINN 1212.16 in LINN, fide.................
Illustrations: H.Jacques-Felix, Les Graminees d'Afrique tropicale fig. 231 (1962); W.J.Bisset in Indian bluegrass has special uses, Qld Agric. J. 106: 507 & 509, fig. 1 (1980).
Culms 15-70 cm tall, geniculately ascending from prostrate base. Leaf lamina 5-30 cm long, 2.5-5 mm. Inflorescence subdigitate; racemes 3-8, 2.5-5 cm long; internodes and pedicels the same length, with ciliate margins. Sessile spikelets 3.5-4.5 mm long; lower glume narrowly ovate-acute, 1 or 2 pitted, scabrous-ciliate on keels, pilose on back in lower third, 3-nerved; upper glume sparsely scaberulous on keel in upper part, lower lemma ovate-oblong; upper lemma linear, shortly 2-lobed; awn 1.5 mm long. Anthers c. 2.2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c. 3.8 mm long, neuter or sometimes male; lower glume not pitted. Indian bluegrass.
Introduced to Australia where it is a good fodder grass in regions of moderate to low fertility soils. It is naturalised fairly widely in tropical N.T. and Qld. India to Indonesia. Flowers Feb.--Nov. Map 59.
W.A.: Fern Ck, King Leopold Ranges, B.K.Simon 3857 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, PERTH). N.T.: Wood Street, Darwin, J.Stokes 6 (BRI, DNA). Qld: Chillagoe, B.K.Simon 3593 & J.R.Clarkson (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW); 40 Mile Scrub, J.R.Clarkson 6350 (BRI, DNA, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); Showground, Bowen, S.T.Blake 18533 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MO, NOU, NSW, PERTH, PRE, SP, SRGH, US); The Causeway, between Yeppoon and Emu Park, B.K.Simon 2566 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, NSW).
8. Bothriochloa macra (Steud.) S.T.Blake in Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 64 (1969) as `macera'
Andropogon macer Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 371 (1854). T: Blue Mtns, N.S.W., J.S.d'Urville s.n.; holo: S (fragment & photo BRI, photo K).
Bothriochloa ambigua S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 29 (1944) `ambigua'. T: Merriwa, N.S.W., 14 Mar. 1924, E.Cheel s.n. holo: BRI; iso: NSW.
[Andropogon pertusus auct. non. (L.) Willd., Maiden & Betche, Census of N.S.W. Plants 14 (1916)]
[Andropogon pertusus var. decipiens auct. non. Hack., Maiden, Man. Grasses N.S.W. 79 (1898)]
[Andropogon affinis auct. non R.Br., F.Turner in Australian grasses 1: 3 (1985)]
[Bothriochloa decipiens auct. non (Hack.) C.E.Hubb., J.M.Black, Fl.S.A. ed.2, 61 (1943)]
Illustrations: F.Turner in Australian grasses 1: 3 (1895) as Andropogon affinis; D.J.B.Wheeler, S.W.L.Jacobs & B.E.Norton, Grasses of New South Wales, fig. 5b (1982).
Densely to loosely tufted with culms 30-100 cm tall, branching from nodes. Leaf lamina 5-30 cm long, 2.5-5 mm wide; ligule 1.5-2.5 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate, with axis 0.7-2 mm long; peduncles 4-9 mm long; racemes 3-6, 5-10 cm; internodes and pedicels the same length, with ciliate margins, 4-4.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 5-7 mm long, lanceolate-linear; callus 3-4 mm long; lower glume spinulose-scabrous on keels, loosely hairy in lower third or glabrous, 5-7-nerved, sometimes pitted; upper glume spinulose-scabrous on keel, much shorter; lower lemma ovate-lanceolate; awn 20-23 mm long. Anthers 1.35-1.75 mm long. Grain 3-3.25 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4.5-6 mm long, neuter, lanceolate, reduced to glumes, lower glume 11-nerved. Redleg grass.
Grows on soils of low fertility mainly on the tableland area of N.S.W. but extending through Vic. to Tas. and S.Aus. and to southern Qld; naturalised in New Guinea, Norfolk Is. and New Zealand. Flowers Oct.--July. Map 60.
S.A.: Snowtown, B.Copley 985 (AD). Qld: Upper Brookfield, near Brisbane, S.T.Blake 15472 (BRI). N.S.W.: Glen Innes, C.E.Hubbard 8218 (BRI, K). Vic.: Corryong, Upper Murray R., R.A.Black 1272.020(63) (BRI, MEL). Tas.: Well Hill, c. 6 km SE of Hamilton, A.R.Harridine 250 (HO).
Exists in both pitted and unpitted states leading to previous problems of identification, being confused with both Dichanthium sericeum and Bothriochloa decipiens.
9. Bothriochloa decipiens (Hack.) C.E.Hubb. in Bull. Misc. Inf. 1934: 444 (1935)
Andropogon pertusus (L.) Willd. var. decipiens Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 483 (1889); Andropogon decipiens (Hack.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 266 (1915).T: Rockhampton, P.A.O'Shanesy s.n.; holo: W, n.v. (fragment & photo BRI; photo K; iso: MEL.
[Andropogon pertusus auct. non (L.) Willd., Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 530 (1878)]
Culms 30-200 cm tall, erect or geniculate at base, simple or branched. Leaf lamina 6-35 cm long, 2-6 mm wide, glabrous or somewhat hairy; ligule 0.75-1.5 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate; axis 6-13 mm long; peduncles 2-3.5 mm long; racemes 3-5, 4-7 cm; internodes and pedicels the same length, ciliate with hairs increasing upwards, 2.5-to 3.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 4.75-5.25 mm long, lanceolate; callus c.0.5 mm long; lower glume acute, usually pitted, pilose on back in lower third, 7-9-nerved; lower lemma ovate-lanceolate or oblong; upper lemma stipitiform; awn 15-24 mm long. Anthers c.1.5 mm long. Grain 1.85-2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2.5-3.75 mm long, neuter, subulate, reduced to a lower glume which is 5-9-nerved.
A widespread grass in open forest country of subtropical N.S.W. and Qld and tropical Qld. It is not as palatable as some of the other native species and sometimes becomes locally dominant where preferred species have been grazed out. There are two varieties.
Slender plants to 100 cm tall; leaf lamina somewhat hairy 9a. var. decipiens
Robust plants 100-200 cm tall; leaf lamina glabrous 9b. var. cloncurrensis
9a. Bothriochloa decipiens (Hack.) C.E.Hubb. var. decipiens
Illustrations: G.M.Cunningham et al, Plants western New South Wales 64 (1981); D.J.B.Wheeler, S.W.L.Jacobs & B.E.Norton, Grasses New South Wales, fig. 4b (1982); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 130 (1983).
Slender plants to 100 cm tall; leaf lamina somewhat hairy
Pitted bluegrass.
Occurs mainly in the eastern parts of N.S.W. and Qld. Naturalised in one locality in N.T. Flowers all year. Map 61.
N.T.: Lake Nash, weed near buildings, S.T.Blake 17959 (CANB). Qld: Lappa Junction, C.E.Hubbard 6722 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K); Middle Percy Is., M.Lazarides 5684 (BRI, CANB, MEL); Sarina, C.E.Hubbard 6488 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K); Virginia, S.T.Blake 14308 (BRI, CANB, MEL). N.S.W.: Trangie, Jan. 1966, D.A.Campbell s.n. (BRI, MEL, NSW).
9b. Bothriochloa decipiens var. cloncurrensis (Domin) C.E.Hubb. in Bull. Misc. Inf. 1934: 444 (1935)
Andropogon decipiens (Hack.) Domin var. cloncurrensis Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 266 (1915). T: Cloncurry, Qld, Mar. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (fragment NSW; photo BRI).
Robust plants 100-200 cm tall; leaf lamina glabrous.
Cloncurry bluegrass. Fig. 6A-E.
Occurs in tropical N.T. (rare) and tropical Qld and considered to be more useful as a fodder grass than the type variety. Flowers Jan.--Sept. and Nov. Map 62.
N.T.: Settlement Creek, R.A.Perry 1194 (CANB, DNA). Qld: Mt. Emu Plains Stn, C. E.Hubbard 7518 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K); near Maryvale, S.T.Blake 19415 (BRI, CANB, MEL); Craigie Stn, S.T.Blake 14614 (BRI, CANB, K).
16. CAPILLIPEDIUM
Capillipedium Stapf, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 169 (1917); from the Latin capillus (hair) and pes (foot), alluding to the hair-like pedicels.
Type: C. parviflorum (R.Br.)Stapf.
Andropogon sect. Capillipedes Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 488 (1889)
[Chrysopogon sensu Benth., non Trin., Fl. Austral. 7: 536 (1878) in part]
Compactly tufted perennials, erect from base, sometimes aromatic. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence a terminal open panicle with capillary branches; racemes solitary; internodes and pedicels slender, with a hyaline median line. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed. Glumes ± similar; lower glume membranous, obscurely 2-keeled, concave on back; upper glume convex on the back, obscurely keeled. Lower floret reduced to a lemma, sterile.Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, entire, with a geniculate hairy awn; palea absent. Grain oblong, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets similar in shape to or smaller than sessilespikelets, sterile, pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of c. 14 species from east tropical Africa, Asia and Australia; most prolific on the Indian subcontinent; 2 species in Australia. Both are considered fairly good fodder species.
S.T.Blake, Capillipedium in Monographic studies in the Australian Andropogoneae, Part 1, Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 41-46 (1944); J.W.Vickery, Capillipedium, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 37-39.
Racemes 1-2-jointed 1. C. parviflorum
Racemes 3-8-jointed 2. C. spicigerum
1. Capillipedium parviflorum (R.Br.) Stapf in Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 169 (1917)
Holcus parviflorus R.Br., Prodr. 199 (1810); Sorghum parviflorum (R.Br.) P.Beauv. Ess. Agrostogr. 132 (1812); Anatherum parviflorum (R.Br.) Spreng. Syst. 1: 290 (1825); Andropogon micranthus Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1: 165 (1829). Chrysopogon parviflorus (R.Br.) Nees in Hook. Lond. J. Bot. 2: 411 (1843); Andropogon parviflorus (R.Br.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 263 (1915) non Roxb. (1820); Rhaphis parviflora (R.Br.) Chase in Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 24: 205 (1925); Andropogon violascens Nees ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 396 (1855); Bothriochloa parviflora (R.Br.) Ohwi in Acta. Phytotax. Geobot. 11: 166 (1942); Dichanthium parviflorum (R.Br.) de Wet in Amer. J. Bot. 54: 386 (1967). T: "Carpentaria Main", N.T., 4 Jan 1803, R.Brown [6188]; lecto, here chosen: BM (photo BRI, K); isolecto: K (photo BRI).
Holcus coerulescens Gaud. in Freycin. Voy. Bot. 411, t. 27 (1826); Rhaphis coerulescens (Gaud.) Desv. Opusc. 69 (1831). T: Port Jackson, M.C.Gaudichaud s.n.; holo: P (photo BRI).
Andropogon alternans J.S.Presl in C.B.Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1: 342 (1830) T: Philippines, T.Haenke s.n.; holo: W (fragment & photo BRI).
Andropogon quartinianus A.Rich; Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 469 (1851); Sorghum quartinianum (A.Rich.) Aschers. in Schweinf., Beitr. Fl. Aethiop.: 310 (1867) Andropogon micranthus var. quartinianus Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 488 (1889). T: Belers, Ethiopia, R.Quartin Dillon s.n.; holo: P, n.v. (fragment: K (photo BRI)).
Andropogon parvispica Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 397 (1855). T: Nepal, Royle 1283; iso: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon villosulus Nees ex Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 397 (1855); Andropogon micranthus var. villosulus Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 488 (1889). T: Nepal, Royle 93, Royle 292; isosyn: LIVCM (photo BRI, K).
Chrysopogon parviflorus var. flavescens F.Bail., Qld Flora 6: 1867 (1902). T: Stanthorpe, Qld, F.M.Bailey s.n., holo: BRI.
Illustration: Lucy K.A.Chippindall & A.O.Crook, Grasses of Southern Africa, Pt 191 (1976); C.-C.Hsu, Fl. Taiwan 5: pl. 1458 (1978); J.R.Wheeler, Fl. Kimberley Region fig. 327A (1992).
Culms to 100 cm tall, simple or rarely branched. Leaf lamina to 30 cm long, 2-5 cm. Inflorescence 8-25 cm long, 2.5-9 cm wide; peduncles 1.2-2 mm long; racemes 1-2-jointed; internodes and pedicels the same length, with ciliate margins, 1.8-2.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 2.8-4 mm long, oblong, slightly elliptical or lanceolate; lower glume minutely truncate, shallowly concave on back, scabrid all over, ciliate on keels, 6-nerved (2 intra-carinal); upper glume scaberulous upwards on keel; lower lemma ovate, ½-4/5 as long as glumes; awn 11-16 mm long. Anthers c. 1.2 mm long. Grain 1.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2.6-3.8 mm long, male or rarly neuter, ± lanceolate and rather acute; lower glume 5-7-nerved, ± scabrous, keels ciliolate upwards; upper glume 1-3-nerved; lemma as long as glumes. Scented top. Fig. 6M-P.
Widespread in Eucalyptus woodlands of subtropical and tropical Eastern Australia and a few records from central NSW, tropical N.T. and W.A. Extends to tropical Africa and Asia. Flowers Nov.--Aug. Map 63.
W.A.: 4 km W of airfield, Mitchell Plateau, K.F.Kenneally 8002 (PERTH). N.T.: Jabiru, C.R.Dunlop 3379 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, NSW). Qld: Weipa, A.Morton 1159 (BRI, MEL); Mt. Coot-tha, Brisbane, C.E.Hubbard 2051 (BRI, NSW, K). N.S.W.: Doonside, R.Coveny 11789 (BRI, NSW).
2. Capillipedium spicigerum S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Papers, Dept. Biol. 2(3): 43 (1944)
Andropogon spicigerus (S.T.Blake) Reeder, J. Arn. Arbor. 29: 366 (1948); Dichanthium parviflorum (R.Br.) de Wet var. spicigerum (S.T.Blake) de Wet, Am. J. Bot. 54: 387 (1967). T: Northgate, Brisbane, Qld, 2 June 1940, S.T.Blake 14267; holo: BRI, iso: CANB, K, NSW.
Chrysopogon parviflorus (R.Br.) Nees var. spicigera Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 538 (1878); Andropogon micranthus Kunth var. spicigerus (Benth.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 489 (1889); A. parviflorus (R.Br.) Domin var. spicigerus (Benth.) Domin in Biblioth. Bot. 85: 264 (1915); Capillipedium parviflorum (R.Br.) Stapf var. spicigerum (Benth.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 154, 155 (1960). T: Bowen [Port Denison], Qld, Fitzalan s.n.; lecto: MEL (photo BRI), fide S.T.Blake, op. cit.2(3): 46 (1944).
Andropogon micranthus Kunth var. muelleri Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6:489 (1889); A. parviflorus (R.Br.) Domin var. muelleri (Hack.) Domin, loc. cit. T: Rockhampton, Qld, P.O'Shanesy 1448; lecto: W, n.v. (photo BRI, K); isolecto; MEL (photo BRI).
Illustrations: F. Turner, Australian Grasses 1: 5 (1895) as Andropogon intermedius; P. Jansen, Notes on Malaysian grasses 1, Reinwardtia 2: 248 (1953); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 146 (1983) as Capillipedium spicegerum.
Culms 100-150 cm tall, simple. Leaf lamina to 40 cm long, 5-8 cm. wide Inflorescence 11-25 cm long, 5-7 cm; peduncles 3-15 mm long; racemes 3-8-jointed, 3-8 cm long; internodes and pedicels the same length, ciliate, 1.6-2.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 3-4.2 mm long, broadly linear or oblong lanceolate; lower glume narrowly truncate, slightly depressed and ± hairy on back, scabrous-ciliate on keels, 8-9-nerved (4-5 intracarinal); upper glume scaberulous upwards on keel or nearly smooth; lower lemma ovate, obtuse or acute, ½-2/3 as long as glumes; awn 12-18 mm long. Anthers 1.2-1.6 mm long. Grain 1.7-2.8 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2.8-4 mm long, male or neuter, subulate or ± lanceolate; lower glume 5-7-nerved, ± scaberulous, ciliate on keels; upper glume 1-3-nerved; lemma as long as glumes, very short or absent. Scented top.
Widespread in Eucalyptus forests and woodlands of tropical, subtropical and rarely temperate eastern Australia. One record from N.T. Extends to New Guinea, the Philippines and New Caledonia. Flowers Nov.--Sept. Map 64.
N.T.: Batchelor, G.F.Hill 332 (NSW). Qld: 2.2 mi N of Bajool, N.H.Speck 1777 (BRI, CANB); Moorland, 25 km W of Bunderberg, M.D.Crisp 2662 (BRI, CBG); Miles, C.E.Hubbard 6396 (BRI, K); between Brisbane and Mt. Coot-tha, C.E.Hubbard 2029(BRI, K). N.S.W.: 6.4 km SSW of Singleton, R.Coveny 6562 & J.Powell (BRI, NSW). Vic. Werribee Research Farm, R.A.Black 1272.085(3) (MEL).
17. DICHANTHIUM
Dichanthium Willemet in Usteri, Ann. Bot. 18: 11 (1796). From the Greek dicha (in two) and anthos (flowers, alluding to the two kinds of spikelet pairs in the raceme).
Type: D. nodosum Willemet = D. annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf
Compactly or loosely tufted annuals or perennials, slightly geniculate erect, sometimes aromatic. Leaf lamina linear; ligule an unfringed membrane. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, racemose, sometimes digitate or subdigitate; racemes solitary or paired, sometimes with homogamous spikelets at base: internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets obovate, dorsally compressed, with a blunt callus. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume thinly chartaceous, 2-keeled, broadly convex on back, obtuse or truncate; upper glume lanceolate, boat shaped, keeled. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, entire, with a geniculate hairy awn; palea shorter or absent. Grain oblong, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets similar in shape to sessile spikelets, male or sterile, pedicels free of rachis.
An Old World genus of c. 20 species, mainly tropical, with most species in India and Australia; 9 species in Australia of which 8 are endemic. Most species are valued as fodder plants and 2 introduced species have become naturalised.
S.T.Blake, Dichanthium in Monographic studies in the Australian Andropogoneae, Part 1, Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 50-55 (1944); C.A.Gardner, Dichanthium, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 324-333 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Dichanthium, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 45-49 (1961); J.M.J.de Wet & J.R.Harlan, Species relationships in Dichanthium III. D. sericeum and allies, Phyton 18: 11-14 (1962); J.M.J.de Wet & J.R.Harlan, Taxonomy of Dichanthium section Dichanthium (Gramineae), Bol. Soc. Arg. Bot.12:206-227 (1968); S.T.Blake, Dichanthium in Taxonomic and nomenclatural studies in the Gramineae, No. 1, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 65-69 (1969); C.N.Jacobsen, A review of the species of Dichanthium native to Australia with special reference to their occurrence in Queensland, Trop. Grasslands 15:84-95 (1981); W.J.Bisset & Sillar D.I., Angleton grass (Dichanthium aristatum) in Queensland, Trop. Grasslands 18: 161-174 (1984).
1 Lower glume of the sessile spikelet with a sub-apical
arch of cilia
2 Sessile spikelets 5-6 mm long;
pedicelled spikelet male 1. D. setosum
2: Sessile spikelets 3-4.5 mm long;
pedicelled spikelet sterile 2. D. sericeum
1: Lower glume of the sessile spikelet without a
sub-apical arch of cilia
3 Racemes usually 2 or more and pedunculate;
glumes hairy to some degree
4 Lower glume of the sessile spikelet
± obovate
5 Peduncles glabrous 3. D. caricosum
5: Peduncles covered with
downy hairs 4. D. aristatum
4: Lower glume of the sessile spikelet
± oblong
6 Spikelets at least 5 mm long
and acute; pedicelled spikelets
bisexual 5. D. fecundum
6: Spikelets to 4 mm long, obtuse
to truncate; pedicelled spikelets
male or sterile 6. D. annulatum
3: Racemes usually single but where
2 or more they are sessile
7 Racemes more than 6 cm long;
sessile spikelets 6-8 mm long 7. D. queenslandicum
7: Racemes less than 6 cm long;
sessile spikelets 3-4 mm long 8. D. tenue
1. Dichanthium setosum S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 50 (1944)
T: 16 miles E of Guyra, N.S.W., E.N.McKie 310; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, NSW.
Illustration: N.T.Burbidge, Australian Grasses, 2: t. 60 (1968); D.J.B.Wheeler, S.W.L.Jacobs & B.E.Norton, Grasses New South Wales, fig. 15e (1982).
Densely tufted perennial, 30-70 cm tall, nodes usually bearded. Leaf lamina to 15 cm long, 2-3.5 mm wide; ligule 0.5-0.75 mm long. Inflorescence digitate or single; racemes 1-3, 3.5-8 cm long; internodes and pedicels equal, to 2 mm long, ciliate. Sessile spikelets 5-6 mm long, 1.2-1.5 mm wide; lower glume involute, chartaceous, long ciliate on keels and transverse subapical arch, 8-nerved; upper glume longer, with scabrous nerves; lower lemma to 2 mm long, glabrous; upper lemma stipitiform, with awn to 25 mm long. Anthers 2-2.2 mm long. Grain c. 3 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5-5.5 mm long, male, narrowly elliptic; lower glume 9-11-nerved, with long tubercle-based hairs on keels and subapical arch; upper glume subequal, 3-nerved, scaberulous upwards; lower lemma to 4 mm long; upper lemma to 2.7 mm long or reduced, bilobed and mucronate between lobes or with awn to 6 mm long.
From the tablelands of northern N.S.W. extending to two isolated records from southern Qld (Mount Mistake and Gt Dividing Range near Rolleston). Flowers Nov.-Jun. Map 65.
Qld: c. 80 km SW of Rolleston, M.D.Crisp 3079(BRI, CBG, NSW); Mt. Mistake, C.E.Hubbard 5261 (BRI, K). N.S.W.: Glenn Innes, C.E.Hubbard 8271 (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); Moray, E.N.McKie 700 (BRI, NSW); Oakwood, J.W.Cutler 2 (BRI, K, NSW).
2. Dichanthium sericeum (R.Br.) A.Camus, Bull. Mus. Nat. Hist. 27: 549 (1921)
Andropogon sericeus R.Br. Prodr. 201 (1810) T: Paterson R., N.S.W., 19 Oct. 1804, R.Brown [6178 in part]; lecto: BM (photo BRI, K), fide S.T.Blake, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 69 (1969); isolecto: E (photo BRI, K), K (photo & fragment BRI).
Andropogon affinis R.Br. Prodr. 201 (1810); Sorghum affine (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 791 (1891); Dichanthium affine (R.Br.) Camus, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. 27: 549 (1921). T: Paterson R, N.S.W., 19 Oct. 1804, R.Brown [6178 in part]; lecto: BM (photo BRI, K), fide S.T.Blake, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 69 (1969); isolecto: E (fragment BRI; photo BRI, K), K (photo BRI), fide S.T.Blake, op. cit. 67(1969).
Andropogon chrysatherus F. Muell., Linnaea 25: 443 (1853). T: Crystal Brook, S.A., F. Mueller s.n.; syn: MEL (fragment & photo BRI); isosyn: P (fragment BRI; photo BRI, K), S (fragment BRI; photo BRI, K), W (photo BRI); towards Rocky Ck, S.A., F. Mueller s.n.; syn: MEL (photo BRI), P, S.
Andropogon acutiusculus Hack., in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 575 (1889); Dichanthium acutiusculum (Hack.) A. Camus, Bull. Mus. Nat. Hist. 27: 549 (1921). T: Between Curtis Is. and Facing Is. [Port I, Keppel Bay], Qld, 5 Aug. 1802, R.Brown [6178 in part]; holo: W, n.v. (photo BRI); iso: BM (photo BRI, K), BRI, E, K (photo BRI), MEL, P (photo BRI).
Andropogon sericeus var. mollis F. M. Bail., Qld Agric. J. 30: 316 (1913); Dichanthium sericeum var. molle (F. M. Bail.) de Wet & Harlan, Phyton 18: 13 (1962). T: Gindie, E.W.Bick 12; holo: BRI; iso: K (photo BRI), MEL.
Andropogon sericeus f. glaberrimus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 267 (1915). T: Barcaldine, Qld, Mar. 1910, K. Domin s.n.; syn: PR, n.v.; Mareeba, Qld, K.Domin s.n.; syn: PR (photo BRI); isosyn: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon sericeus f. puberulus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 267 (1915). T: Chillagoe, Qld, Feb. 1910, K. Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon sericeus f. ciliatus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 267 (1915). T: Jericho, Qld, Feb. 1910, K. Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI).
Dichanthium caricosum subvar. racemosum Roberty, Boissiera 9: 165 (1960). T: Jericho, Qld, R.Simmons 69; holo: G (fragment BRI; photo BRI, K); iso: NSW.
[Andropogon annulatus auct. non Forssk., F.Muell. Fragm. 8: 123 (1873)]
Tufted annual or perennial, 10-120 cm tall, nodes conspicuously bearded. Leaf lamina 8-15 cm long, 2-4 mm wide; ligule 0.5-0.75 mm long. Inflorescence digitate or single; racemes 1-20, 1.5-7 cm long; internodes shorter than pedicels, to 1.5 mm long, ciliate. Sessile spikelets 4-4.5 mm long, to 1.25 mm wide; lower glume flat or rounded on back, membranous to thinly chartaceous or thinly indurated, ciliate on keels and on transverse subapical arch, shortly pilose in lower half, 5-8-nerved; upper glume longer or equal, strongly 3-nerved, lanceolate, boat shaped, glabrous; lower lemma 1.5-2.5 mm long, broadly ovate to lanceolate, glabrous; upper lemma stipitiform with awn 25-32 mm long. Anthers c. 1 mm long. Grain 1-2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-5 mm long, neuter, oblanceolate or broadly obovate; lower glume 8-nerved, hirsute with long tubercle-based hairs on keels and subapical arch, long ciliate on margins; upper glume half to 2/3 as long as lower, 3-nerved; lower lemma absent.
There are 3 subspecies.
1 Lower glume of pedicelled spikelet obovate,
with subapical arch conspicuous, cilia
erect from surface; robust annuals 2a. subsp. polystachyum
1: Lower glume of pedicelled spikelet linear to
narrowly ovate, with cilia of subapical arch
not erect from surface; annuals or perennials
3 Spikelets 4.5 x 1-1.4 mm; lower glume
9-10-nerved; racemes usually more than
4 cm long; perennials 2b. subsp. sericeum
3:Spikelets to 4 x 1 mm; lower glume 5-7-
nerved; racemes less than 4 cm long; annuals 2c. subsp. humilius
2a. Dichanthium sericeum subsp. polystachyum (Benth.) B.K. Simon, Austrobaileya 3: 84 (1989)
Andropogon sericeus R.Br. var. polystachyus Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 530 (1878) T: Burdekin R., Qld, E. Bowman s.n., lecto: K (photo BRI), isolecto: MEL (photo BRI).
Andropogon tenuiculus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 371 (1854); Dichanthium tenuiculum (Steud.) S.T.Blake in Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 69 (1969). T: Luzon, Philippines, H.Cuming 1398; holo: P (photo BRI); iso: FI, n.v. (fragment, photo BRI), K, S (photo BRI), W, n.v. (photo BRI).
Andropogon superciliatus Hack., Bot. Jahrb. 6: 239 (1885); Sorghum superciliatum (Hack.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl.2:792 (1891); Dichanthium superciliatum (Hack.) A. Camus, Bull. Nat. 27: 550 (1921). T: Near Atapupu, Timor, F.C.Naumann s.n.; holo: B, n.v., fig. in Bot. Ergebn. Exped. Gazelle 5, t.3 (1890).
Illustrations: K.Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: fig. 63 (1915) as Andropogon superciliatus; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 97, figs A-C (1952) as D. superciliatum.
Robust annuals. Lower glume of pedicelled spikelet obovate, with subapical arch conspicuous, cilia erect from surface.
Fig. 7K. Tassel bluegrass.
Found mainly in open wet grassland on wet soil, usually with Eulalia aurea, in tropical W.A., N.T. and Qld. Valued as a pasture species. Extends to southern New Guinea. Flowers Jan.--Aug., Oct.-Nov. Map 66.
W.A.: Glenroy, C.A.Gardner 10251 (PERTH). N.T.: Lawson Bore, Newcastle Waters Stn, P.K.Latz 5989 (BRI, DNA); Victoria River Research Station, M.H.Andrew 616 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Haydon Ck, 63 km SE of Normanton on Croydon road, R.J.Henderson H1791 (BRI); Jardine Valley, near Hughenden, C.E.Hubbard 7186 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K, MEL).
2b. Dichanthium sericeum subsp. sericeum
Illustrations: D.J.B.Wheeler, S.W.L.Jacobs & B.E.Norton, Grasses of New South Wales, fig. 16a (1982) as D. affine, fig. 16b (1982) as D. sericeum; J.C.Tothill & J.B. Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 186 (1983) as D. sericeum; R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley Region W. Australia, t. 40 (1983) as D. sericeum.
Perennials. Lower glume of pedicelled spikelet linear to narrowly ovate, with cilia of subapical arch not erect from surface. Spikelets 4.5 x 1-1.4 mm; lower glume 9-10-nerved; racemes usually more than 4 cm long.
Fig. 7I-J. Queensland bluegrass.
Found in all states, but mainly in the eastern States, in open grassland on clay soils. A highly esteemed native pasture species. Extends to New Guinea and naturalised in New Caledonia, the Philippines and SE Asia. Flowers Nov.--Sept. Map 67.
W.A.: S of Blackstone Ra., A.S.George 12033 (PERTH). N.T.: 22 mi NE of Undoolya Stn, R.Perry 3275 (BRI, DNA). S.A.: 5 mi N of Cordillo Downs, R.Filson 3396 (AD, BRI, MEL). Qld: Fairburn Dam, B.K.Simon 2889 (BRI, CANB, K). N.S.W.: Scone Experimental Station, R.Story 7062 (BRI, CANB, NSW). Vic.: 10 km N of Wangaratta, K.R.Thiele (BRI, MEL). Tas.: Tasman Hwy, c. 2 km N of Sorell, D.I.Morris 8246 (HO, MEL, NSW).
2c. Dichanthium sericeum subsp. humilius (J. Black) B.K. Simon, Austrobaileya 3:83 (1989)
Andropogon annulatus var. ?humilis Benth., Fl. Austral 7: 531 (1878). Dichanthium humilius J.Black, Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. S. Aust. 60: 164 (1936). T: Charlotte Waters, N.T., Mar. 1875, E. Giles s.n.; holo: MEL (photo BRI).
Andropogon sericeus var. geniculatus F.M.Bail., Qld Agric J. 26: 128 (1911). T: Winton, Qld, Feb. 1914, T.G.Wright s.n.; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, K (photo BRI), MEL.
Andropogon sericeus f. micranthus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 267 (1915). T: Between Winton and Barcaldine, Mar. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Austr. 1(1): t. 97d (1952) as D. humilius; M. Lazarides, The grasses of central Australia, t. 21a, as D. humilius.
Annuals. Lower glume of pedicelled spikelet linear to narrowly ovate, with cilia of subapical arch not erect from surface. Spikelets to 4 x 1 mm; lower glume 5-7-nerved; racemes less than 4 cm long.
Fig. 7H. Slender bluegrass.
Found in all mainland states except Vic., north of 29 degrees S in open grassland and open Eucalyptus woodland on clay to sandy soils. Naturalised in Texas and India. Flowers whole year. Map 68.
W.A.: Wiluna, July 1937, G.F.Melville (PERTH). N.T.: Mongrel Downs, C.R.Dunlop 2123 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, NSW). S.A.: 16 km NNE of Wooltana, Hj.Eichler 18637 (AD, BRI). Qld: Cloncurry, C.E.Hubbard 7328 (BRI, K). N.S.W.: 6 km along Wanaaring road from its junction with Hungerford road, B.K.Simon 2959 (BRI, K, NSW).
3. Dichanthium caricosum (L.) A.Camus, Bull. Mus. Nat. Hist. 27: 549 (1921)
Andropogon caricosus L. Sp. Pl. 2: 1480 (1763). T: India, J.Burmann s.n., n.v.
Illustrations: H.B.Gilliland, A revised flora of Malaya, 3: Grasses of Malaya, fig. 61.
Perennial with culms 30-100 cm tall, with nodes glabrous or hairy. Leaf lamina 6-20 cm long; ligule to 1 mm long. Inflorescence single or paired; peduncles 5-10 mm long, glabrous; racemes 1-2, 2-6 cm long; internodes and pedicels the same length, to 5 mm long, ciliate. Sessile spikelets to 5 mm long, lanceolate; lower glume broadly ovate, rounded on back, pectinately setose on wings, 9-11-nerved; upper glume equal, boat shaped; lower lemma to 2.4 mm long, ovate-truncate, glabrous; upper lemma to 1.8 mm long with awn to 15 mm long. Anthers c. 1.8 mm long. Grain to 1.8 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5-5.5 mm long, male or neuter, broadly obovate; lower glume 11-nerved, ciliate on back and with pectinate-setose wings; upper glume subequal, ciliate on back; lower lemma ovate, to 2.6 mm long; upper lemma reduced. Nandi blue grass.
Native to tropical Asia and Malesia but now fairly widely introduced to tropical areas. Locally persisting in northern and SE Qld, the areas where it was first introduced from Fiji. Flowers Apr.--May. Map 69.
Qld: About 12 km SE of Ingham, W.J.Bisset B202 & R.Steel (BRI, CANB); about 10 km W of Yandina, W.J. Bisset B202A & P.E. Luck (BRI, CANB. NSW).
4. Dichanthium aristatum (Poiret) C.E Hubb., Bull. Misc. Inf. 1939: 654 (1940)
Andropogon aristatus Poiret in Lam., Encycl. Meth. Bot. Suppl. 1: 585 (1810). T: Mautitius, P. Commerson s.n.; whereabouts uncertain, fide W.D. Clayton, Fl. Trop. E. Africa (Gramineae 3) 723 (1982).
Dichanthium nodosum Willem. in Usteri, Ann. Bot. 18: 11 (1796) nom. nud.; Andropogon nodosus (Willem.) Nash in N. Amer. Fl. 17: 122 (1912) nom. illegit.; Andropogon mollicmus Kunth, Revis Gram. 1: 365 (1830); Lepeoceris mollicoma (Kunth) Nees, Edinb. Phil. J. 18: 185 (1889); Dichanthium caricosum var. mollicmus Hackel) Haines, Bot. Bihar & Orissa 5: 1039 (1924). T: Mauritius, Sieber s.n.; holo: P, n.v.; iso: K (photo BRI).
Diplasanthium lanosum Desv., Opusc. 67, t. 5, fig. 1 (1831). T. n.v.
Dichanthium caricosus var. glabrior Hackel in DC. Monogr. Phan. 569 (1830). T:
Timor, [Herbarium Richard]; holo: P (photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.C.Hsu, Taiwan grasses pl.229 (1975); W.J.Bisset in Creeping bluegrass finds favour, Qld Agric. J. 104: 248 (fig. 2), 249 (fig. 2) (1978).
Perennial with culms 30‑100 cm tall, with nodes glabrous or hairy. Leaf blades 8 cm long, to 3 mm wide; ligule to 0.6 mm long. Inflorescence single or paired; peduncles 6‑12 mm long, pubescent; racemes 1‑3, 3‑7 cm long; internodes and pedicels equal, 5~ mm long, ciliate. Sessile spikelets to 5 mm long, lanceolate; lower glume broadly ovate with a subacute membranous tip, rounded on back, pectinately setose on wings, 8‑10‑nerved; upper glume equal, boat shaped; lower lemma to 3 mm long linear, glabrous; upper lemma c.3.2 mm long, stipitiform with awn 10‑20 mm long, grain to 1.8 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5‑5.5 mm long, male or neuter, broadly obovate; lower glume ciliate on back and with pectinate‑setose wings; upper glume subequal, ciliate on back; lower lemma ovate to 2.6 mm long; upper lemma reduced. ~ngleton grass. Fig. 7D‑G.
Native to India and SE Asia but now widely introduced in tropical areas. Widely but sporadically naturalised in coastal, subcoastal and rarely inland areas of Qld. Cultivated in W.A., N.T. and N.S.W. It is regarded as a useful fodder as well as a weed where not intentionally sown. Flowers Feb.‑ Nov. Map 70.
W.A.: Kimberley Research Station, M.Lazarides 5022 (BRI, CANB). N.T.: 17 mi S of Darwin, N.Byrnes 2090 (cult.) (CANB, DNA). Qld: Einasleigh R. at Lyndhurst Stn, B.KSimon 2743 & J.R.CIarkson (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); Bowen, S.T.BIake 18529 (BRI, CANB, K, MO, PRE). N.S.W.: Botanic Gardens (cult.), E.Cheel s.n.(BRI, NSW).
5. Dichanthium fecundum S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Dept. Biol. Pap. 2(3): 51 (1944)
Dichanthium annulatum var. fecundum (S.T.Blake) de Wet & Harlan, Bol. Soc. Arg. Bot. 12: 211 (1968). T: Ayr, Qld, S. T. BIake 8337; holo: BRI; iso BRI, CANB, K (photo BRI), MEL, NSW, US.
Andropogon annulatus var. monostachya F.Muell. ex. Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 531 (1878). T: Victoria R., N.T., Dec 1855, F.Mueller s.n.; lecto: MEL; isolecto: K (photo BRI),fde S.T.Blake in Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 52 (1944).
Andropogon annulatus var. grandispiculatus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 269 (1915). T: Flinders R., Hughenden, Qld, Feb. l910, KDomin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (fragment NSW, photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 95a‑c (1952); M.Lazarides, Grasses central Australia, t 20a (1970); R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley region W. Australia t. 39 (1983).
Perennial with culms 100‑150 cm tall, nodes usually bearded. Leaf blades 25 cm long, 5 mm wide; ligule 0.5‑1.5 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate; peduncles to 7 mm long; racemes 1‑6, 4‑6 cm long; internodes and pedicels equal, 1.5‑2 mm long, with ciliate margins. Sessile spikelets 4‑5.5 mm long, elliptic‑oblong or oblanceolate; lower glume very narrowly truncate, flat on back, membranous to thinly scabrous ciliate; upper glume as long as lower, ciliolate on margins; lower lemma 2‑3 mm long, oblong, glabrous; upper lemma stipitiform with awn 15‑28 mm long; anthers 0.7‑1 mm long; grain 1.9‑2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5‑6 mm long, male or bisexual, narrowly elliptic or linear; lower glume 7‑nerved, hirsute with long spreading tuberclebased hairs or rarely glabrous; upper glume subequal, narrowly obtuse, 5‑nerved, ciliolate near margins or glabrous; lower lemma linear to lanceolate, 4‑5 mm long; upper lemma with awn to 14 mm long or awnless; anthers 2‑3 mm long. Curly bluegrass.
Widespread along stream banks, and riverflats and on black clay soils of tropical Qld, N.T. and W.A. Extends to New Guinea. Considered an excellent fodder grass. Flowers Dec.‑Oct. Map 71.
W.A.: Gogo Stn, C.A.Gardner 9735 (PERTH). N.T.: near Bull Ck, S.T.Blake 16282 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MO, PERTH, PRE); October Ck, Borroloola road, N.Byrnes 2550 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Jardine Valley, near Hughenden, C.E.Hubbard 7191 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K, MEL); 6 mi NE of Dajarra, M.Lazarides 4351 (BRI, CANB).
6. Dichanthium annulatum (Forsskal) Stapf in Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 178 (1917)
Andropogon annulatus Forsskal, Fl. Aegypt.‑Arab.: 173 (1775). T: Egypt, P.Forsskal s.n.; holo: C (photo & fragment BRI).
Illustrations: R.P.Celarier & J.R.Harlan in Studies on Old World bluestems, Oka. Agric. Expt. Sta. Tech. Bull. T‑58, figs 13‑14 (1955); C.C.Hsu in Taiwan grasses pl.228 (1975); W.J.Bisset in Indian bluegrass has special uses, Qld Agric. J. 106: 509, fig. 2 (1980).
Perennial with culms 25‑lO0 cm tall, simple or branched; nodes conspicuously bearded. Leaf blades 3‑30 cm long, 2‑7 mm wide; ligule to 1 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate, single or paired; peduncles 1‑3 mm long; racemes l‑lO, 3‑7 cm long, internodes and pedicels equal, c.3 mm long, with ciliate margins. Sessile spikelets 2‑6 mm long, oblong; lower glume obtuse to subacute, slightly concave, firmly cartilaginous, pubescent to villous below, with tubercle based hairs above, 7‑nerved; upper glume as long, narrowly boat shaped, minutely ciliate; lower lemma c.2 mm long, oblong‑rounded, glabrous; upper lemma c.1.6 mm long, stipitiform with awn 8‑25 mm long; anthers c.1.6 mm long; grain to 1.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2‑6 mm long, male or neuter, oblanceolate; lower glume ll‑nerved, ciliate on back and with pectinate‑setose wings; upper glume subequal. Sheda ~rass.
Malesia and India to the Middle East and West Africa. Naturalised mainly in Queensland coastal areas; sometimes cultivated. Flowers whole year. Map 72.
N.T.: Daly R. area, L.A.Craven 4452 (CANB). Qld: Mackay, C.E.Hubbard 6530 & C. W. Winders (BRI, K, MEL); Mona Vale, E.R.Anderson (BRI); Mt. Archer, Rockhampton, B.KSimon 3231 (BRI, NSW); Ipswich, Dec 1981, W.Bisset s.n.(BRI).
D. annulatum var. papillosum (A. Rich.) de Wet & Harlan from tropical to South Africa has been cultivated.
7. Dichanthium queenslandicum B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 1: 457 (1982)
T: 10 km E of Capella, Qld, B.KSimon 2882 & W.Bisset; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, K, MO.
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit. fig. 33 (1982).
Densely tufted perennial to 80 cm tall, nodes conspicuously bearded. Leaf blades to 18 cm long; ligule to 1.5 mm long. Inflorescence single or paired; racemes to 10 cm long; internodes and pedicels equal, to 2.5 mm long, with ciliate margins. Sessile spikelets 7.5‑8.5 long, c.1.5 mm wide, lanceolate to lanceolate‑linear; lower glume rounded on back, coriaceous, scabrous on wings, 11‑nerved; upper glume as long as lower, acuminate; lower lemma to 5 mm long, glabrous; upper lemma c.to 3 mm long, stipitiform with awn to 20 mm long; anthers c.1 mm long; grain to 4 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets to 6 mm long, male, narrowly elliptic; lower glume 11‑nerved with scaberulous margins; upper glume a little shorter; lower lemma to 4 mm long; upper lemma to 3 mm long, reduced, bilobed with awn to 2 mm long.
Endemic to Queensland where it occurs on black clay soils around Emerald and more rarely on the Darling Downs. Flowers Nov.‑Jan. Map 73.
A valuable fodder species.
Qld: 21 km SE of Clermont, B.KSimon 2897A & C.N.Jacobsen (BRI, DNA, L, NSW) 4 km N of Emerald, B.KSimon 2923 & C.N.Jacobsen (BRI, AD, US); 10 miles S of Nebo, R.Story & Yapp 9 (BRI, CANB); Callide Valley, C. T. White 10793 (BRI, CANB); Jimbour Plain, W.Bisset S 762 (BRI).
8. Dichanthium tenue (R.Br.) A.Camus, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. 27: 549 (1921)
Andropogon tenuis R.Br., Prodr. 201 (1810). T: Keppel Bay, Qld, R.Brown s.n.; holo: BM (photo BRI, K ); iso: W (fragment and photo BRI; photo K).
Densely to loosely tufted perennial 30‑70 cm tall, nodes usually bearded. Leaf blades 15 cm long, 2‑3.5 mm wide; ligule 0.5‑0.75 mm long. Inflorescence digitate or single; racemes 1‑3, 3~ cm long; internodes shorter than or equal to pedicels, ciliate with hairs increasing upwards. Sessile spikelet 4~ long, to 1.5 mm wide; lower glume narrowly obtuse or minutely and obtusely 2‑lobed, involute below, chartaceous or somewhat indurated, scabrous, shortly ciliate on nerves or almost smooth, 8‑9‑nerved; upper glume as long boat shaped with margins inflexed, glabrous; lower lemma hyaline; upper lemma linear, stipitiform with awn 22‑28 mm long; anthers c.1 mm long; grain to 2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets to 6 mm long, male, narrowly elliptic; lower glume 9‑nerved, minutely ciliolate on keels or glabrous; upper glume a little shorter, obtuse, scabrous‑pubescent at margins, or glabrous; lower lemma to 4 mm long; upper lemma reduced or absent; anthers c.1 mm long. Fig. 7A‑C.
From coastal subtropical N.S.W. to tropical Qld on both sandy and clay soils. Extends to New Guinea. Flowers whole year. Map 74.
Qld: 5 km S of junction to Earlando on Dingo Beach road, B.KSimon 3378 BRI, CANB, K); c.80 km SW of Rolleston, Peawaddy Gorge Lookout, Gt Dividing Range, M.D.Crisp 3030 (BRI, CBG, NSW); S of Thangool, S.T.Blake 19990 (CANB, K, L); Brian Pastures, Gayndah, S. T.Blake 18932 (BRI, CANB); Sherwood Arboretum, Brisbane, C.E.Hubbard 4736 (BRI, CANB, K). N.S.W.: 28 km W of Grafton on Gwydir Hwy, N.Lloyd 0207 (CANB, NSW).
18. SPATHIA
Spathia Ewart in Ewart & Davies, Fl. North. Terr.: 26 (1917); from the Latin spathe, alluding to the prominent spathe.
Type: S. neurosa Ewart & Archer.
Loosely tufted annuals, geniculate at lower nodes or erect from base. Leaf blades attenuate; ligule a hair‑fringed membrane. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, subdigitate, spatheate; racemes clustered, with one pair of homogamous spikelets at base and with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets cleistogamous, lanceolate, dorsally compressed. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume membranous or coriaceous, 2‑keeled, convex on back; upper glume boat shaped, keeled. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma. Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, entire, with a geniculate hairy awn. Grain oblong or obovoid, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets slightly smaller than sessile spikelets, oblanceolate or oblong, sterile, pedicels free of rachis. A monospecific endemic genus confined to the black soils of NW Qld and central eastern N.T.
Spathia in A.J.Ewart & O.B.Davies, The flora of the Northern Territory 26‑27 (1917); Spathia in S.T.Blake, Monographic studies in the Australian Andropogoneae, Part 1, Univ. Queensland Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 46‑47, & 50 (1944).
Spathia neurosa Ewart & E.Archer, Fl. North. Terr. 26 (1917)
T: 30 miles SE of Newcastle Waters, N.T., G.F.Hill 504; holo: MEL (fragments BRI, K; photo BRI); iso: NSW.
Illustrations: A.J.Ewart & O.B.Davies, op. cit. t. 1 (1917); M.Lazarides, Grasses central Australia, t. 67b (1970); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 382 (1983).
Culms 10‑80 cm tall, branched; nodes hairy. Leaf blades 4.5‑15 cm long, 1‑6 mm wide; ligule c.0.7 mm long. Inflorescence digitate with spathes 4‑10 cm long; racemes 1‑4, 4‑7 cm long; internodes shorter than pedicels, densely rufously villous, 2‑2.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 4‑5 long, to 1.5 mm wide; lower glume elliptic‑oblong, rounded on back, coriaceous, thickly rufously hairy, faintly 9‑nerved; upper glume 3nerved, as long as lower glume, ciliolate on margins; lower lemma c.2 mm long, linear, hyaline; upper lemma 3‑4 mm long, stipitiform, with awn 25‑30 mm long. Grain 1.5‑2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c.5 mm long, neuter, oblanceolate; lower glume 11nerved, hirsute with long spreading hairs; upper glume half as long as lower glume, linear, 3‑nerved; lower lemma absent; upper lemma absent. Fig. 8D‑E.
Endemic to the black soils of NW Qld and central eastern N.T. Flowers Apr.‑Aug. Map 75.
N.T.: Soudan Stn, P.A.Latz 7064 (BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW): Austral Downs, P.A.Latz 1681 (CANB, DNA, K, PERTH); 26 miles NNW of Brunette Downs, S.T.Blake 17818 (BRI, CANB). Qld: 23 mi N of Camooweal, P.A.Latz 1680 (BRI, DNA, MEL, NSW); Camooweal, S.T.Blake 17931 (AD, B, BM, BO, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, MO, NOU, NSW, NY, PERTH, PRE, SP, US).
19. ANDROPOGON
Andropogon L., Sp. Pl. 1: 1045 (1753) & Gen. Pl. 5: 468 (1754); from the Greek aner (man) and pogon (beard), alluding to the awns or to the long hairs on the raceme internodes and pedicels.
Type: A. distachyos L.
Compactly tufted perennials, erect from base. Leaf blades lanceolate; ligule a hairfringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spatheate; racemes paired or clustered with internodes and pedicels filiform, rarely thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed, with callus obtuse and fitting in concave top of internode. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume chartaceous, 2‑keeled, acuminate; upper glume acuminate, not keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma bifid to bilobed with a straight glabrous awn; palea much shorter than lemma. Pedicelled spikelets narrowly elliptic or absent, pedicels free of rachis.
A pantropic genus of c.100 species, most prolific in Africa and America. One species from America is naturalised and has little forage value.
J.W.Vickery, Andropogon in Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 50‑51 (1961); F.W.Gould, The grass genus Andropogon in the United States, Brittonia 19: 70‑76 (1967); C.S. Campbell, Systematics of the Andropogon virginicus complex (Gramineae), J. Arn. Arb. 64:171‑2544 (1983).
1 Leaf blades flabellate; racemes in compound spatheate
inflorescences, covered with white hairs; sessile
spikelets c. 3 mm long 1. A. virginicus
1: Leaf blades not flabellate; racemes simple, digitate,
not distintly hairy; sessile spikelets at least
5 mm long
2. Leaf blade falsely petiolate; lower glume of the
sessile spikelet entire at the apex 2. A. gayanus
2: Leaf blade not falsely petiolate; lower glume of
the sessile spikelet bidentate at the apex 3. A. distachyos
1. *Andropogon virginicus L., Sp.Pl. 2: 1046 (1753)
T: Locality unknown; holo: LINN 1211.12 & 1211.13 in LINN
Illustrations: A. S. Hitchcock, Manual of the grasses of the United States, 2nd edn rev A.Chase, fig. 1165 (1950); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 98 (1983); N.T.Burbidge (rev. S.W.L.Jacobs), Australian Grasses 53 (1984).
Culms 50‑100 cm tall, branching, strongly compressed at base. Leaf blades 10 40 cm long, 2‑5 mm wide, not falsely petiolate. Inflorescence a panicle of racemes, spatheate. Spathes 4‑5 cm long; racemes 2‑4, 2‑3 cm; internodes long villous with hairs up to 10 mm long. Sessile spikelets c.3 mm long, c.1 mm wide, lanceolate; lower glume lanceolate, flat on back, without conspicuos median groove, glabrous, 2‑nerved, 2keeled, scabrous in upper part of keel, not winged; upper glume narrowly lanceolate; lower lemma lanceolate‑oblong, glabrous; upper lemma slightly bifid, with awn 15‑20 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets absent or rudimentary. Whisky grass, Broomsedge. Fig. 9A‑B.
Eastern United States and Mexico. In Australia in the coastal, tableland regions and western slopes of New South Wales and in coastal SE Qld, along roadsides and in low fertility pastures. Flowers Mar.--Dec. Map 76.
Qld: SE of Mt.Coolum, J.A.Elsol 108 & P.S.Sattler (BRI); Nerang, S.T.Blake 23091 (BRI, CANB, K, L, MEL, NSW). N.S.W. Conglomerate State Forest, NNE of Nana Glen, K.L.Wilson 4516 (BRI,NSW); Rd to Moobull State Forest from Murwillumbah, L.A.S.Johnson 317 et al. (BRI,NSW); 7 km from Nelligen towards Batemans Bay, M.D.Crisp 7087 (CBG, NSW).
2. *Andropogon gayanus Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1: 491 (1833)
T: Senegal, C.Gay s.n.; iso: K.
Illustrations: R. Pilger in Engler & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 14e: t.89 & 90 (1940); L. K.A.Chippindall & A.O.Crook, Grasses of Southern Africa pt.63 (1973); W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, Fl. Trop. East Africa Gramineae, fig. 180-4 (1982).
Culms 150-250 cm tall, simple. Leaf lamina 60 cm long, 4-20 mm wide, falsely petiolate. Inflorescence a panicle of racemes, spatheate; racemes 2, 4-9 cm; internodes ciliate on one or both sides; internodes and pedicels cuneate. Sessile spikelets 5-8 mm long; callus c. 1 mm long; lower glume narrowly oblong, ± flat on back with many nerves, with conspicuous median groove, glabrous, 2-keeled, scabrous-ciliate on keels; upper glume muticous or mucronate, lanceolate; upper lemma deeply bilobed, with awn 10-30 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5-8 mm long, male, narrowly elliptic; lower glume with awn c. 3 mm long; upper glume with awn c. 1 mm long.
Tropical Africa. Cultivated in W.A., N.S.W., N.T. and Qld; naturalised in N.T. and persisting in experimental plots in Qld. Flowers Oct.--July. Map 77.
N.T.: 14 km S of Adelaide R., Stuart Hwy, S.Pickering 1 (CANB, DNA); Oenpelli road, near Mudginberri Stn, Cowie 212 (CANB). Qld: Fitzroyvale, S.T.Blake 19952 (BRI, MEL).
3. *Andropogon distachyos L. Sp. Pl. 1: 1046 (1753)
T. Basel, Switzerland, Burser s.n.: holo: UPS, n.v.
Culms 90-100 cm tall, simple. Leaf lamina 9-17 cm long, 1-5 mm wide; ligule c. 1 mm long. Inflorescence not spatheate, with paired racemes, 8-10.5 cm long. Internodes ciliate at base, cuneate. Sessile spikelets 10-12 mm long, lanceolate; callus 1-2 mm long; lower glume lanceolate, ± flat to slightly convex on back, with many nerves, without conspicuos median groove, glabrous to slightly pubescent, 7-11-nerved, 2-keeled, finely scaberulous, winged for ½-2/3 their length, the wings membranous and confluent to a bidentate tip; upper glume lanceolate and hyaline; lower lemma lanceolate-oblong, glabrous; upper lemma 5-6 mm long, deeply bilobed, with awn 18-22 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets ± similar to sessile spikelet but upper lemma 8-9 mm long, not awned, lower glume with awn 8-9 mm long; upper glume not awned.
Africa and Europe. Naturalised in one locality in south-western W.A. Flowers Oct. Map 78.
W.A.: Kelmscott, 24 Oct 1980, R.Cranfield s.n. (PERTH).
20. CYMBOPOGON
Cymbopogon Spreng., Pl. Pugill. 2: 14 (1815); from the Greek kumbe (boat) and pogon (beard), alluding to the boat-shaped spatheoles subtending the hairy racemes.
Type: C. schoenanthus (L.) Spreng.
Andropogon L. sect. Cymbopogon (Spreng.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 528,532 (1878). Based on Cymbopogon Spreng.
Compactly tufted perennials, erect from base, aromatic. Leaf lamina linear; ligule an unfringed or hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence a large compound panicle, spatheate; racemes paired with raceme-base flattened, sometimes deflexed at maturity with internodes and pedicels linear, sometimes swollen. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed with callus obtuse and fitting in concave top of the internode. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume membranous or chartaceous, 2-keeled, acuminate; upper glume boat shaped, keeled upwards. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma bifid to bilobed, with a geniculate hairy awn or awnless; palea absent. Grain oblong, subterete. Pedicelled spikelets similar in shape to sessile spikelet, male or sterile, lanceolate, pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of c. 50 species from the Old World tropics and subtropics; naturalised in tropical America. 11species in Australia and of Of the 9 native species native to Australia 1 extends to New Guinea and the Moluccas and Timor, 1 2 to Timor only and 6 are endemic. Of the latter one species has become naturalised in the Pacific region. All species have strongly aromatic foliage and for this reason are unpalatable to stock. Other species have been grown elsewhere for essential oils. C. citratus (DC.) Stapf has been used in Australia and throughout the tropics as a culinary herb and ornamental plant.
C.A.Gardner, Cymbopogon, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 337-340 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Cymbopogon , Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 51-55 (1961); S.T.Blake, Cymbopogon in Taxonomic and nomenclatural studies in the Gramineae, No.1, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 69-73 (1969); S.T.Blake, Cymbopogon in Revision of the genera Cymbopogon and Schizachyrium (Gramineae) in Australia, Contrib. Qld Herb. 17: 29-70 (1974); Soejatmi Soenarko, The genus Cymbopopogon Sprengel (Gramineae), Reinwardtia 9: 225-375 (1977).
1 Lower glume of the sessile spikelet with a deep median groove;
leaf lamina cordate at the base
2 Culms with stilt roots; lower glume of the sessile
spikelet with brown oil streaks flanking the 2
intercarinal nerves + C. nervatus
2: Culms without stilt roots; lower glume of the sessile
spikelet without brown oil streaks 1. C. martinii
1: Lower glume of the sessile spikelet flat or concave on
the back; leaf lamina narrow or attenuate at the base
3 Inflorescence occupying 1/10-1/5 of the culm length 2. C. globosus
3: Inflorescence occupying 1/5-2/3 of the culm length
4 Racemes distinctly hairy, the hairs 4-7 mm long
5 Longer callus hairs up to 1.2 mm long
6 Leaf lamina up to 3 mm wide, filiform to very
narrow; culms delicate and drooping 3. C. dependens
6: Leaf lamina more than 4 mm wide; culms robust
and erect
7 Plant 1.5-2.5 m tall with 7-11-noded
inflorescences; lower glume of the sessile
spikelet up to 4.5 mm long 4. C. procerus
7: Plant usually less than 1.5 m tall, with
4-8 noded inflorescences; lower glume of the
sessile spikelet 5.5-7 mm long 5. C. ambiguus
5: Longer callus hairs 3.5-5 mm long
8 Sessile spikelets awnless 6. C. gratus
8: Sessile spikelets awned
9 Leaf sheaths to 6 mm wide, rolling back at maturity 7. C. bombycinus
9: Leaf sheaths 2-3 mm wide, not rolling back at maturity 8. C. obtectus
4: Racemes only slightly hairy, the hairs under 3 mm long
10 Sessile spikelets with an awn 10-12 mm long 9. C. queenslandicus
10: Sessile spikelets usually awnless (if awned the awn small)
11 Pedicelled spikelets with 2 glumes; racemes not
reflexed 10. C. citratus
11: Pedicelled spikelets with one glume only; racemes
distintly reflexed 11. C. refractus
+ Cultivated species; not treated further in this work. There is one record of C. nervatus (Hochst.) Chiov. from Cardwell, N. Qld.
1. Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. in Atkins, Gaz. N.W. Prov. India 10: 392 (1882)
Andropogon martinii Roxb., Fl. Ind., ed. Carey & Wall., 1: 280 (1820). T: cult, Calcutta Botanic Garden, India; W.Roxburgh s.n., syn: BM, n.v. (photo BRI); General Hardwick, Feb. 1798, syn: BM, n.v. (photo BRI).
Culms to 200 cm tall, robust and erect. Leaf lamina c. 50 cm long, 25 mm wide, cordate at base, flat; ligule 1.5-4 mm long. Inflorescence 21-50 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, ± interrupted; spatheoles 20-40 mm long; peduncle 3-4 mm long; racemes c. 20 mm long, 3-5 jointed, very rarely ± reflexed, with hairs less than 3 mm long; internodes and pedicels linear, 1-2 mm long, nearly equal, hairy on margins and back. Sessile spikelets c. 3.5 mm long; lower glume to 2 mm long, 2-nerved, with deep median groove, broadly winged; lower lemma to 1.5 mm long, oblong to narrowly ovate; upper lemma to 1 mm long, unlobed, with awn 12-18 mm long and column c. 7 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet 3-4 mm long, neuter, ovate-linear. Fig. 10E-F.
India. In Australia persisting in the abandoned introduction plots at Fitzroy Vale, Qld, where it was originally cultivated. Flowers Apr.--July. Map 79.
Qld: Fitzroy Vale, 14 km SE of Rockhampton. S.T.Blake 19953 (BRI, CANB).
2. Cymbopogon globosus Henrard, Repert. Sp. Nov. Regni Veg. 22: 106 (1925)
T: Taliabu, Moluccas, Atjeh 61; holo: L (fragment & photo BRI), iso: BO, n.v. BRI
Illustrations: S. Soenarko, Reinwardtia 9: 289, fig. 21 (1977).
Culms 100-160 cm tall. Leaf lamina 30-60 cm long, 3-8 mm wide, flat; ligule 2-5 mm long. Inflorescence 6-13 cm long, 5-9 cm wide, occupying 1/10-1/5 culm length, 7-9-noded, branches much longer than internodes; spatheoles 14-22 mm long; peduncle 6-11 mm long; racemes 10-15 mm long, commonly reflexed; internodes and pedicels linear 2-3 mm long, equal or pedicel shorter, hairy on margins and back, apex slightly dilated, cup-shaped and irregularly lobed. Sessile spikelets 4-5 mm long, 0.8-1 mm wide, narrowly ovate; lower glume with 3 or 4 intracarinal nerves, flat on back in upper half, depressed towards base; upper glume 3-nerved; lower lemma oblong, a little shorter than glumes; upper lemma equal to lower lemma, lobed to 1/3-½ length with awn 11-13 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2-4 mm long, usually neuter, narrowly linear-ovate.
Known from savanna regions of northern Qld (uncommon) through New Guinea to the Moluccas. Flowers May. Map 80.
Qld: Weipa-Nanagal stripping block 39E on Coen road, A.Morton 1716 (BRI, MEL), Barron R., 1891, S.Johnson s.n. (MEL); Lockerbie Stn, L.J.Brass 18590 (BRI, CANB, K); Red Island Point, L.J.Brass 18819 (BRI, CANB); Flinders R., Armit 1050 (MEL).
3. Cymbopogon dependens B.K. Simon, Austrobaileya 3:80(1989)
T: Katherine Gorge, N.T., 8 Mar. 1964, M.Lazarides 7036; holo: BRI (BRI 139135 & BRI 139136); iso: CANB, K (photo BRI), MEL, NT. DNA
Illustrations: B.K.Simon, op.cit. fig. 1 (1989).
Culms 90-120 cm tall, 3-5-noded below the inflorescence, delicate and drooping; Leaf lamina 15-30 cm long, 0.5-2.5 mm wide, flat; ligule c. 1 mm long. Inflorescence 17-25 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, ± interrupted, 3-5-noded, branched to the 3rd degree. Inflorescence branches mostly exceeding the internodes; spatheoles 20-40 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide; peduncle 7-10 mm long; racemes 20-25 mm long, 3-5 jointed, with hairs 4-7 mm long; internodes and pedicels linear, 2-2.5 mm long, nearly equal, hairy on margins and back. Sessile spikelets 4.5-5 mm long, 5-6 times as long as wide, very narrowly ovate elliptic, awned; longer callus hairs to 1.2 mm long; lower glume flat or concave on back, c. 1 mm long, with 0-4 intracarinal nerves, flat to shallowly concave; upper glume 3-nerved; lower lemma oblong, a little shorter than the glumes; upper lemma 3/4 as long as the lower lemma, lobed to ½ the length, with awn 17-20 mm long and column 6-8 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c. 2 mm long, rudimentary, neuter, narrow linear to narrowly ovate. Fig. 10A-B.
In rocky gorges in isolated regions of W.A. and N.T. Flowers Feb.--Mar. Map 81.
W.A.: Hidden Valley, Kunanurra Kununurra, R.Pullen 10,841 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.: 4 mi W of Pine Creek, M.Lazarides 237 & L.Adams (CANB, DNA); Katherine Gorge, J.B.Wilson 333 (BRI, CANB, NSW); Woolaning, C.R.Dunlop 5925 & L.Craven (CANB, DNA, K, L); 26 mi NE of Docker River Settlement, P.K.Latz 872 (CANB, DNA).
This species is recognised as Rare in J.D.Briggs & J.H.Leigh, Rare or Threatened Australian Plants (1995).
4. Cymbopogon procerus (R.Br.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85:273 (1915)
Andropogon procerus R.Br. Prodr. 202 (1810); Sorghum ?Sorgum procerum (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2:791 (1891); Cymbopogon procerus (R.Br.) Camus, Rev. Bot. Appliq. 1: 289 (1921); C. nardus (L.) Stapf subvar. procerus (R.Br.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 176 (1962). T: Groot Groote Eylandt, N.T., 15 Jan 1803, R.Brown [6172]; holo: BM (photo & fragment BRI; photo BRI, K); iso BRI, E, n.v., K (photo BRI).
Andropogon exaltatus R.Br., Prodr. 202 (1810); Sorghum ?Sorgum exaltatum (R.Br.)Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl.2:791 (1891); Cymbopogon exaltatus (R.Br.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 273 (1915); C. exaltatus (R.Br.) A.Camus, Rev. Bot. Appliq. 1: 289 (1921); C. nardus (L.) Stapf subvar. exaltatus (R.Br.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 174 (1962). T: Mallinson's Mallison I., N.T., 1 Mar. 1803, R.Brown [6173]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: E (photo BRI), K (photo BRI), W, n.v. (photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1):t.99 (1952); R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley Region W. Australia, t.36 (1983).
Culms 100-220 cm tall. Leaf lamina 40-50 cm long, 5-15 mm wide, flat; ligule 3-7 mm long. Inflorescence 40-90 long, 5-8 cm wide, 7-11-noded, branches commonly as long as two internodes; spatheoles 17-20 long, 2-3 mm wide; peduncle 3-7 mm long; racemes 6-19 mm long; internodes and pedicels 2-4 mm long, nearly equal, densely villous except lower part of back, apex slightly dilated, cup-shaped and irregularly lobed. Sessile spikelets 4-5 long, 0.6-0.7 mm wide, narrowly elliptic to ovate; lower glume with 0-4 intracarinal nerves, flat on back in upper half, depressed towards base; upper glume 3-nerved; lower lemma narrowly oblong, 2/3 as long as lower glume; upper lemma 3/4 as long as lower lemma, lobed to 1/3 length, with awn 10-19 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-4 mm long, neuter, sometimes male, very narrowly linear-ovate. Scentgrass.
Known from savanna regions of northern tropical Australia, New Guinea and SE Timor. Flowers Mar.--Aug. Map 82.
W.A.: 10 miles NW of Elgie Cliffs Stn, M.Lazarides 5093 (BRI, CANB), Augustus I., Bonaparte Archipelago, P.G.Wilson 10686 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: 14 miles W of Victoria River Downs, R.Perry 2107 (BRI, CANB, DNA), near Lee Point; 9 m NNE of Darwin, M.Lazarides & L.Adams 281 (B, CANB, DNA, E, K, L, NSW, US); 9 mi NW of Calvert Hills, D.E.Symon 5060 (AD, CANB, DNA, K, NSW). Qld: Hell's Gate, S.Jacobs 1534 (CANB, NSW).
5. Cymbopogon ambiguus (Hack.) A.Camus, Rev. Bot. Appliq. Colon.1: 290 (1921)
Andropogon ambiguus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 385 (1854) nom. illeg., non Michx.(1803); A. exaltatus R.Br. var. ambiguus (Steud.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monograph 6: 596 (1889); Cymbopogon exaltatus (R.Br.) Domin var. ambiguus (Steud.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 273 (1915). T: Iles steriles [Islands in Shark Bay], W.A., Baudin's Exped.; holo: P (photo BRI, K; fragment, BRI); iso: BM (photo BRI, K), S (photo BRI).
Andropogon spectabilis F.Muell. ex Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monograph 6: 594 (1889) in syn.; non K.Schum. (1897)
Cymbopogon exaltatus (R.Br.) Domin var. gracilior Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 273 (1915). T: Castle Hill, near Townsville, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin [759,760 & 761]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
[Cymbopogon exaltatus auct. non (R.Br.) Domin: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1: 338 (1952)]
Illustrations: M.Lazarides, Grasses Central Australia, t. 27a (1970), as C. exaltatus, S.Soenarko, Reinwardtia 9: 296, fig. 24 (1977).
Culms 30-100 cm tall. Leaf lamina 15-50 cm long, 1-5 mm wide, flat; ligule 2-5 mm long. Inflorescence 15-40 long, 2-5 cm wide, 4-8-noded, branches mostly exceeding internodes; spatheoles 15-30 mm long; peduncle 5-12 mm long; racemes 15-20 mm long; internodes and pedicels 2-3 mm long, densely villous except lower part of back, nearly equal, apex dilated, cup-shaped, crenulate. Sessile spikelets 4-6 long, 0.7-1 mm wide, narrowly oblong to narrowly elliptic-oblong; lower glume with 2-5 intracarinal nerves, flat on back in upper half, concave to deeply furrowed towards base; upper glume 3-5-nerved; lower lemma narrowly oblong, 2/3 as long as lower glume; upper lemma lobed to 1/4-½ length with an awn 12-20 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-5 mm long, male or neuter, ovate-linear. Scentgrass.
The most widely distributed species of Cymbopogon in Australia extending from the arid interior to tropical coastal areas. There is a single extra Australian record from the north coast of Timor. Flowers all year . Map 83.
W.A.: 33 km from Minnie Creek Stn on road to Edmund Stn, B.K.Simon 3747 & J.K.Stretch (BRI, K, PERTH). N.T.: 30 km NE of McLaren Homestead, Murchison Range, P.A.Latz 9534 (BRI, DNA). S.A.: 16 km NW of Leigh Ck, Northern Flinders Range, T.R.N.Lothian 1067 (AD, BRI). Qld.: Mount Mulligan, J.R.Clarkson 5278 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, MBA, NSW, QRS, PERTH). NSW.: 56 miles NNW of Wilcannia, J.C.De Nardi 268 (BRI, NSW).
There is considerable variation in the width and colour of the leaf lamina and the density of the inflorescence within the species. In same habitats (eg. Standley Chasm, N.T., pers. obs.) it is possible for a number of forms to grow together.
6. Cymbopogon gratus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 274 (1915)
T: Chillagoe, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin [762, 763 & 764]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Illustration: K.Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 275 (1915), fig. 64.
Culms 35 cm tall, 1-2-noded below the inflorescence, robust and erect. Leaf lamina to 20 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, flat; ligule c. 1 mm long. Inflorescence 7-20 long, 2-4 cm wide, ± interrupted, 3-5-noded; spatheoles 20-21 mm long; peduncle c. 6 mm long; racemes 12-16 mm long, very rarely ± reflexed, with hairs 4-7 mm long; internodes and pedicels slender, 2-2.5 mm long, woolly, subequal or the pedicels a little shorter. Sessile spikelets 4.5 long, 3.5-4 mm wide, narrowly ovate, awnless; longer callus hairs 3-4 mm long; lower glume c. 2 mm long, flat or concave on back, 3-nerved, flat to shallowly concave; lower lemma narrowly suboblong, a little shorter than the glumes; upper lemma about as long as the lower lemma, unlobed. Pedicelled spikelets 3-3.5 mm long, neuter, narrow linear to narrowly ovate. Fig. 10G-H.
Known only from three four areas of northern Qld. Flowers Feb.--Mar. Map 84.
Qld.: Mt. Embu, N of Hughenden, C.E.Hubbard 7539 (BRI, K, MEL); Rookwood Stn, M.Godwin s.n., Mar. 1984 (BRI, CANB); Typhinia, 77 km W of Rockhampton, C.E.Hubbard 8025A (MEL).
Regarded by Blake (Proc. Roy. Soc Qld 80: 70 (1969)) as a hybrid between C. refractus and C. bombycinus but Soenarko in Reinwardtia 9: 295 (1977) regards there is insufficient evidence for this claim.
7. Cymbopogon bombycinus (R.Br.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 274 (1915)
Andropogon bombycinus R.Br., Prodr. 202 (1810); Sorghum Sorgum bombycinum (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 791 (1891); Cymbopogon bombycinus (R.Br.) A.Camus, Rev. Bot. Appliq. 1: 290 (1921) Cymbopogon nardus subvar. bombycinus (R.Br.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 173, 179 (1960). T: Upper Head, East Coast [Charon Point, Broad Sound], Qld, 26 Sept. 1802, R.Brown [6175]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI), BRI, MEL (photo BRI). P, n.v.
Andropogon lanatus R.Br., Prodr. 202 (1810); A. exaltatus R.Br. var. lanatus (R.Br.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monograph 6: 596 (1889); Cymbopogon exaltatus (R.Br.) Domin var. lanatus (R.Br.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 273 (1915); C. exaltatus (R.Br.) A.Camus var. lanatus (R.Br.) A.Camus, Rev. Bot. Appliq. 1: 290 (1921); C. nardus var. lanatus (R.Br.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 175 (1960). T: Pobassoo I, N.T., 9 Mar. 1803, R.Brown [6174]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: E, n.v., K (photo BRI).
Andropogon procerus R.Br. var. schultzii Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monograph 6: 595 (1889); Cymbopogon procerus (R.Br.) Domin var. schultzii (Hack.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 273 (1915); C. procerus (R.Br.) A.Camus var. schultzii (Hack.) A.Camus, Rev. Bot. Appliq.o 1: 289 (1921); C. nardus var. schultzii (Hack.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 176 (1960). T: Port Darwin [Darwin], M.Schultz 60; holo: W, n.v. (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI).
Cymbopogon bombycinus (R.Br.) Domin var. townsvillensis Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 275 (1915). T: Castle Hill, Townsville, Feb. 1910, K.Domin [780 & 781]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Illustrations: R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley Region W. Australia t.35 (1983).
Culms 40-120 cm tall. Leaf lamina 15-40 cm long, 1-4 mm wide; ligule 2-6 mm long. Inflorescence 6-40 long, 3-6 cm wide, 4-8-noded, branches mostly exceeding internodes; spatheoles 25-35 long, 5-6 mm wide; peduncle 6-12 mm long; racemes 12-18 mm long; internodes and pedicels 2-4 mm long, subequal or pedicels a little shorter, hairy on margins and back, apex slightly dilated, cup-shaped and irregularly lobed. Sessile spikelets 4-6 long, 0.7-0.8 mm wide, very narrowly ovate to ± obovate; lower glume with 1-2 or without intracarinal nerves, flat on back in upper half, concave to deeplyfurrowed towards base; upper glume 3 or sub-5-nerved; upper lemma lobed to 1/4-1/3 length with awn 6-21 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-5 mm long, male or neuter, very narrowly ovate or ovate-linear. Silky Oilgrass.
Occurs in Eucalyptus forests and savannas of tropical and subtropical Australia. Flowers all year. Map 85.
W.A.: Kelly's Knob, Kununurra, B.K.Simon 3713 & R.J.Petheram (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: 30 miles E of Borroloola, R.A.Perry 1843 (BRI, CANB, DNA); Croker Is., P.A.Latz 3202 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Springmount Stn, J.R.Clarkson 4638 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); Warrigal, C.E.Hubbard 7118 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K). N.S.W.: Coonabarabran, Jan. 1980, N.Lloyd s.n. (NSW).
8. Cymbopogon obtectus S.T.Blake, Univ. Qd. Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 55 (1944)
T: Woodstock, W of Winton, Qld, 29 June 1934, S.T.Blake 6517; holo: BRI; iso: AD, CANB, K (photo BRI), NSW.
[C. bombycinus auct. non (R.Br.) Domin; J. M. Black, Fl. S.Aust. ed.2: 63 (1943)].
Illustrations: F.Turner, Australian Grasses 1: fig. 4 (1895), as Andropogon bombycinus; M.Lazarides, Grasses Central Australia t.27b (1970).
Culms to 100 cm tall. Leaf lamina to 35 cm long, 1-3 mm wide; ligule 3-5 mm long. Inflorescence 7-25 long, 3-4 cm wide, 4-9-noded, branches equal to or shorter than internodes; spatheoles 20-32 long, 6-10 mm wide, peduncle 5-9 mm long; racemes 15-25 mm long, commonly reflexed; internodes and pedicels 3-4 mm long, densely hairy with long fine hairs, nearly equal, apex dilated, irregularly lobed or ± denticulate, obliquely cup-shaped. Sessile spikelets 5-6 long, 1-1.2 mm wide, very narrowly oblong-elliptic or ± obovate; lower glume with 0-5 intracarinal nerves, flat on back in upper half, concave to deeply furrowed towards base; upper glume 5-7-nerved; lower lemma oblong or narrowly somewhat ovate; upper lemma lobed to 1/6-1/3 length with awn 6-8 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-5 mm long, neuter, narrowly ovate.
A widespreadspecies in Australia but occurring mainly in drier regions. Flowers all year. Map 86.
W.A.: Hammersley Range Natl Park, R.Pullen 10,931 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Heavitree Range, P.A.Latz 4873 (BRI, CANB, K, DNA). S.A.: Mt. Moulden inselberg, W.R.Barker 3134 (AD, DNA, NSW). Qld: Chinchilla, C.E.Hubbard 6425 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K, MEL). N.S.W.: Fort Bourke, B.K.Simon 2975 (BRI, K, NSW). Vic.: 1/4 mi on Victoria side of Tocumwal rail bridge, Dec 1968, J.Brown s.n.(MEL).
9. Cymbopogon queenslandicus S.T.Blake, Contrib. Qd. Herb. 17: 53 (1974)
T: Castle Hill, Townsville, Qld, 30 Mar. 1935, S.T.Blake 8353; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, DNA, K (photo BRI), L, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH.
[Andropogon martinii auct. non. Roxb.: F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 124 (1873)]
[A. schoenanthus var. martinii auct. non (Roxb.) Benth.: Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 534 (1878)]
[A. nardus var. grandis auct. non (Nees in Steud.) Bailey, Qld Flora 6: 1865 (1902)]
[A. nardus var. australiensis auct. non Domin: Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20: 264 (1915)]
Culms 70-150 cm tall. Leaf lamina 15-50 cm long, 3-10 mm wide; ligule 2-5 mm long. Inflorescence 25-45 long, 4-8 cm wide, 6-9-noded, branches longer than internodes; spatheoles 18-25 mm long; peduncle 8-12 mm long; racemes 17-20 mm long, reflexed; internodes and pedicels 2-3 mm long, subequal or pedicels a little shorter, densely hairy along margins, apex slightly dilated, cup-shaped and irregularly lobed. Sessile spikelets 4-6 long, 1-1.2 mm wide, very narrowly oblong-elliptic or ± obovate; lower glume with 2-4 intracarinal nerves, flat on back in upper half, concave to deeply furrowed towards base; lower lemma oblong; upper lemma lobed to ½ length, with awn 10-12 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4-6 mm long, male, very narrowly ovate. Fig. 10C-D.
A species confined to Qld where it is found in Eucalyptus forests, often on stony hillsides. Flowers Jan.--Sept. Map 87.
Qld: Lockerbie, L.J.Brass 18465 (BRI); Blackman Gap, Many Peaks Range, M.D.Crisp 2717 (BRI, CBG); Mt. McCartney, 5 km from Cathu Forestry Station, B.K.Simon 3349 (BRI, CANB, K); near Davies Ck, between Kuranda and Mareeba, S.T.Blake 20296 (AD, BRI, CANB); Mt. Walsh, 6 km S of Biggenden, M.D.Crisp 2614 (BRI, CBG, DNA).
10. *Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Kew. Bull. Misc. Inf. 1906: 322, 357 (1906)
Andropogon citratus DC. ex Nees, Allem.Gartenz. 3: 267 (1835). T: cult. Montpellier from seed collected in Asia; holo: G, n.v., fide
Culms to 200 cm tall. Leaf lamina to 90 cm long, to 5 mm wide; ligule to 1 mm long. Inflorescence 30-40 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, 7-11-noded, branches much longer than the internodes; spatheoles 15-25 mm long; peduncle 6-7 mm long; racemes 10-17 mm long, commonly reflexed with internodes and pedicels 2-3 mm long, unequal, pedicels slightly to distinctly shorter, densely ciliate along the margins, apex dilated, cup-shaped, crenulate. Sessile spikelet to 6 mm long, awnless; lower glume flat or concave on back, 2 mm long, with 3 or 4 intracarinal nerves, with deep median groove and broadly winged; upper glume 3-nerved; lower lemma a little shorter than the glumes; upper lemma 1/2 as long as lower lemma, unlobed. Pedicelled spikelet 4.5-6 mm long, neuter, very narrowly ovate or ovate-linear. Lemon grass
Cultivated as a culinery herb and for lemon grass oil; a single record from the N.T.and also recorded once as naturalised in Qld (sterile), but no longer persisting. Flowers Apr and Aug (in cultivation.)
N. T.: Headwaters of Liverpool R., Arhnhemland, G. Whiteman 1419 (BRI). Qld: Noosa Natl Park, P.R Sharpe 4258 & B.Jahnke (BRI).
11. Cymbopogon refractus (R.Br.) A.Camus, Rev. Bot. Appliq. 1: 279 (1921).
Andropogon refractus R.Br. Prodr. 202 (1810); Anatherum refractum (R.Br.) P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 128, 150 (1812); Sorghum Sorgum refractum (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2:792 (1891); Cymbopogon nardus subvar. refractus (R.Br.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 176 (1960). T: Port Jackson [Sydney], N.S.W., June 1802, R.Brown [6177]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: E (photo BRI), K (photo BRI), MEL, P (photo BRI).
Andropogon tahitensis J.D.Hook & Arn., Bot. Beechey's Voy. 72 (1832). T: Society Is., F.W.Beechey s.n.; holo: K.
Andropogon refractus R.Br. var. luxurians Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 265 (1915). T: Near Brisbane, Apr. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; ; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: BRI, K (photo BRI).
Andropogon refractus R.Br. f. euryphyllus Domin, loc. cit. T: Stradbroke Is., Apr. 1910, K.Domin s.n.;; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: BRI, K (photo BRI).
Andropogon refractus R.Br. var. tropicus Domin, loc. cit. T: Near Harvey Ck, Dec 1909, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photos BRI, K); iso: BRI.
Illustrations: F.Turner, Australian Grasses 1: fig.7 (1895) as Andropogon refractus; J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 170 (1983); N.T.Burbidge (rev. S.W.L.Jacobs), Australian Grasses 95 (1984).
Culms 30 to 150 cm tall. Leaf lamina 12-40 cm long, 1-4 mm wide; ligule 1-2 mm long. Inflorescence 10-45 long, 2-4 cm wide, branches longer than internodes above and shorter below; spatheoles 17-23 mm long, peduncle 7-13 mm long; racemes 13-20 mm long, reflexed; internodes and pedicels to 1 mm long, unequal, pedicels slightly to distinctly shorter, glabrous or margins hairy, apex slightly dilated, cup-shaped and irregularly lobed. Sessile spikelets 5-7 long, 0.8-1.3 mm wide, very narrowly ovate elliptic; lower glume with 3-5 intra-carinal nerves, flat to convex in upper half, somewhat concave towards base; upper glume 3-nerved, lower lemma narrowly suboblong, a little shorter than glumes; upper lemma 3/4 as long as lower lemma, lobed to 1/4-1/3 length with awn 0-12 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4-6 mm long, neuter, very narrowly ovate. Barbed wire grass.
Widespread in the Eucalyptus forests and woodlands of eastern Australia, especially on lighter soils of low fertility; rare in northern N.T. It has become naturalised over a fairly wide area in the Pacific (Norfolk I., New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Is, Hawaii, Society Is, Tahiti and Tuamotu Archipelago). Cultivated for forage in Niihau (Hawaai). Flowers all year. Map 88.
N.T.: Humpty Doo, C.S.Robinson 25 (BRI, DNA). Qld: Springmount Stn, J.R.Clarkson 4610 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); Mt. Coot-tha, C.E.Hubbard 2015 (BRI, K, MEL); N.S.W.: Kooyong, between Ardilly and Tullymorgan, S.Forbes 2807 (BRI, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH). A.C.T. 5.5 km ENE of Tharwa NW slopes of Mt Rob Roy, B.J.Lepschi103 (BRI); Vic.: Bonang-Wulgulmerang Rd, 3.7 mi W of Tubbut, A.C.Beauglehole 33128 & E.W.Finck (MEL, NSW).
21. SCHIZACHYRIUM
Schizachyrium Nees, Agrost. Brasil., 331 (1829); from the Greek schizen (to split) and achuron (chaff), alluding to the bilobed lemma of the sessile spikelet.
Type: S. brevifolium (Swartz) Nees ex Buse.
Andropogon L. sect. Schizachyrium (Nees) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 529 (1878). Based on Schizachyrium Nees.
Compactly tufted annuals, erect to decumbent. Leaf lamina linear or filiform; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, spatheate; racemes solitary with rachis fragile and fracturing at maturity and internodes and pedicels linear or thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate or linear, dorsally or laterally compressed with callus obtuse and fitting in concave top of internode. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume coriaceous or chartaceous, 2-keeled, convex on back, notched, narrowly winged; upper glume boat shaped, keeled. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma deeply bifid or bidentate with a geniculate, hairy awn; palea minute or absent. Grain ellipsoid or linear, dorsally compressed or subterete. Pedicelled spikelets smaller than sessile spikelets, linear, sterile, pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of 60-70 species from the tropics and subtropics; 7 8 species in Australia of which 5 6 are endemic. All Australian species are small annuals growing in sandy soil with other annuals and have little fodder value.
C.A.Gardner, Schizachyrium, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 333-337 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Schizachyrium, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 49-50 (1961); S.T.Blake Schizachyrium in Taxonomic and Nomenclatural studies in the Gramineae, No. 1, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 73-81 (1969); S.T.Blake, Schizachyrium in Revision of the genera Cymbopogon and Schizachyrium (Gramineae) in Australia, Contrib. Qld Herb. 17: 1-29 (1974).
1 Racemes concealed within spatheoles; ligule at least
2 mm long 1. S. mitchelliana
1: Racemes projected beyond spatheoles; ligule to
1 mm long
2 Sessile spikelets dorsally compressed, 4-8 times as
long as wide
3 Lower glume of the sessile spikelet winged, at
least above the middle
4 Rachis internodes with a dense oblique
beard of long hairs 2. S. fragile
4: Rachis internodes glabrous or diffusely
hairy
5 Spikelets 3.5-4.5 mm long, 0.6-0.7 mm
wide 3. S. perplexum
5: Spikelets 5-8 mm long, 1.3-1.6 mm
wide 4. S. pachyarthron
2: Lower glume of the sessile spikelet not
winged 5. S. pseudeulalia
1: Sessile spikelets ± laterally compressed,
7-13 times as long as wide
5 Rachis internodes and pedicels very slender,
with a dense ± horizontal band
of long hairs above the middle 6. S. crinizonatum
5: Rachis internodes and pedicels ±
stout, with the hairs diffuse or marginal
and not in a horizontal band
6 Sessile spikelets similar to the pedicel
in appearance, with a glabrous upper lemma 7. S. occultum
6: Sessile spikelets very different to the pedicel
in appearance, with a ciliolate upper lemma 8. S. dolosum
1. Schizachyrium mitchelliana B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 3:90 (1989)
T: Mitchell River Stn, Admiralty Gulf, W.A., Nov./Dec. 1973, T.Kubicki 53; holo: PERTH (photo BRI).
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit., fig. 7 (1989).
Ligule c. 3 mm long. Spatheoles 1.8-3 cm long, 3-4 mm wide, involute towards tip, glabrous; peduncles 3-5 mm long; racemes 1-1.5 cm long; internodes and pedicels ± equal in length to each other and to sessile spikelet; internodes diffusely hairy, with hairs longer towards apex, narrowly cuneate with parallel sides, c. 0.1 mm wide at base and to 0.5 mm wide at tip. Sessile spikelets to 4 mm long, c. 1 mm wide, 4 times as long as wide, dorsally compressed, narrowly ovate to narrowly ovate-oblong; callus c. 0.1 mm long; lower glume narrowly winged, flattened, glabrous; upper glume 1-nerved; lower lemma as long as to shorter than glumes; upper lemma awn 7-10 mm long. Anthers c. 1.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets to 2 mm long, restricted to glumes.
The habitat is unknown and the species is restricted to only known from the type. Flowers Jun. Map 89.
This species is recognised as Poorly Known in J.D.Briggs & J.H.Leigh, Rare or Threatened Australian Plants (1995).
2. Schizachyrium fragile (R.Br.) A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon sér. 2, 70: 87 (1924)
Andropogon fragilis R.Br. Prodr. 202 (1810); Pollinia fragilis (R.Br.) Spreng. Sept. Veg. 1: 289 (1825); Andropogon brevifolius Swartz var. fragilis (R.Br.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monograph 6: 364 (1889). T: Endeavour R., Qld, 1770, J.Banks & D.Solander; holo: BM (fragment and photo BRI; photo K); iso: NSW.
Andropogon obliquiberbis Hack., Flora 68: 117 (1855); Sorghum Sorgum obliquiberbe (Hack.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 792 (1891); Schizachyrium obliquiberbe (Hack.) A.Camus, Ann. Linn. Lyon 70: 89 (1924). T: Near Balade, New Caledonia, E.Vieillard 1506; holo: P(photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon fragilis R.Br. var. sinensis Rendle, J.Linn. Soc. Bot. 36: 372 (1905); Schizachyrium fragile (R.Br.) A.Camus var. sinense (Rendle) P.Jansen, Reinwardtia 2: 338 (1953) T: Whanipoa Whampoa, China, hb. H.F.Hance 1388; holo: K (photo BRI).
Eulalia simplex Hosokawa, Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Formosa 28: 150 (1938). T: Yap, Caroline Is., T.Hosokawa 8839; holo: NY, n.v.; iso: A, n.v. , fide S.T.Blake, op.cit.
Illustrations: S.T.Blake, Contrib. Qld Herb. 17: 62, fig. 1A (1974); R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley region W. Australia, t.87 (1983); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 368 (1983).
Culms to 50 cm tall, 0.8-1.1 mm thick, usually sparsely branched. Leaf lamina 2-6.5 cm long, 1-3 mm wide; ligule 0.3-0.6 mm long. Spatheoles 3.5-5.5 cm long, 4-6 mm wide, boat-shaped or flattened; peduncles 5-15 mm long; racemes 7-12-jointed, 3-6 cm long, 0.9-2.2 mm wide; internodes and pedicels ± equal to sessile spikelet, internodes with an oblique band of hairs, broadened from base, convex on back, 0.25-0.4 mm wide at base, 0.6-0.7 mm wide at tip. Sessile spikelets 5-10 long, 0.7-1.1 mm wide, 5-8 times as long as wide, dorsally compressed, narrowly ovate acuminate to suboblong; callus 0.45-0.65 mm long; lower glume marginate to broadly winged, convex with 3-5 intracarinal nerves, glabrous or pubescent to villous in lower part or puberulous in upper part and wings; upper glume 1-3-nerved; lower lemma 2/3-3/4 as long as glumes; upper lemma awn 9-15 mm long. Grain narrowly ovate or narrowly elliptic, 2.1-4 long, 0.6-0.8 mm. Pedicelled spikelet 1.5-3.5 mm long with awn 1.5-11 mm long. Firegrass, Red spathe grass.
A fairly common annual on sandy soils from the savanna regions of tropical W.A., N.T. and Qld and extending to sub-tropical Qld and N.S.W. where it is not so common. Occurs also in S China, the Marianas, Caroline and Aru Is. and New Caledonia. Flowers Jan.--Nov. Map 90.
W.A.: 27 mi W of Durack R., E.M.Scrymgeour 1836 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Stuart Hwy, 19 km N of Adelaide R., B.K.Simon 3648, H.Cousins & S.Grosvenor (CANB, DNA, K); 7 km N of Deep Well Homestead, P.A.Latz 5136 (AD, CANB, DNA, NSW, PERTH). Qld: Brown Ck, 7.4 km E of Beagle North Camp-Aurukun road on road to Merluna, J.R.Clarkson 4406 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); 72 km NE of Blackall, B.K.Simon 2786 & J.R.Clarkson (BRI, CANB, K). N.S.W.: Narrabri West, J.L.Boorman AQ296467 (BRI).
3. Schizachyrium perplexum S.T.Blake, Contr. Qld Herb. 17: 14 (1974)
T: Mt. Mulligan, Qld, 21 Apr 1939, D.Pedler 6; holo: BRI; iso: BRI.
Illustration: S.T.Blake, op. cit. 62, fig. 1b (1974).
Culms to 20 cm tall, to 0.4 mm thick, branched from all the nodes. Leaf lamina 1.7-2.7 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide; ligule 0.7-0.8 mm long. Spatheoles 1.8-3.2 cm long, 2-3.5 mm wide, boat-shaped or flattened; peduncles 2-4.5 mm long; racemes 3-5-jointed, 1.3-1.8 cm long, 0.7-0.9 mm wide; internodes diffusely hairy, broadened from base, convex on back, 0.1-0.2 mm wide at base, 0.3 mm wide at tip. Sessile spikelets 3.5-4.5 long, 0.6-0.7 mm wide, 5-7 times as long as wide, dorsally compressed, ± elliptic; callus 0.3-0.4 mm long; lower glume winged throughout, convex with 3-5 intracarinal nerves, long hairy.; upper glume 1-nerved; lower lemma 2/3-3/4 as long as glumes; upper lemma awn 16-21 mm long. Grain narrowly elliptic, 1.6-2.2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 0.6-0.7 mm long with awn 2-16 mm long.
A rather rare annual on sandy soils and sandstone hills from a few localities in northern N. T and Qld. Flowers Mar.--May. Map 91.
N.T.:SE corner of Howard Springs Forestry Plantation, B.K.Simon 3620 & M.H.Andrew (BRI, DNA). Qld: Mt. Mulligan, J.R.Clarkson 5874 (BRI, CANB, MBA, MEL, NSW, QRS); Croydon, S.T.Blake 9089A (BRI); Cloncurry, S.T.Blake 6385 (BRI); Tranby, S.T.Blake 11434 (BRI).
4. Schizachyrium pachyarthron C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1: 336 (1952)
T: Kunmunya Mission, Caruden Sound, W.A., May 1943, G.W.Holmes s.n.; holo: PERTH (fragment and photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, op. cit. t. 98, Fig. A (1952); S.T.Blake, Contrib. Qld Herb. 17: 62, fig. 1C (1974).
Culms to 100 cm tall, 0.5-2 mm thick, to 3-nately branched. Leaf lamina 1.5-10 cm long, 0.8-3 mm wide; ligule 0.2-0.6 mm long. Spatheoles 2.5-6 cm long, 4-6.5 mm wide, boat-shaped or flattened; peduncles 4-8 mm long; racemes 6-10-jointed; 3-5 cm long, 1.5-2 mm wide; internodes 0.3-0.6 mm wide at base, 0.15-1.3 mm wide at tip, pubescent, pilose on inner face, glabrous or pilose on back and margins, narrowly cuneate with parallel sides. Sessile spikelets 5-8 long, 1.3-1.6 mm wide, 4-5 times as long as wide, dorsally compressed, oblong to subovate-oblong; callus 0.4-1 mm long; lower glume winged throughout, convex, ± flattened upwards, pilose in lower part; lower lemma as long as to shorter than glumes; upper lemma awn 19-30 mm long. Grain narrowly suboblong to ovate, 2.3-3.5 long, 0.7-1 mm. Pedicelled spikelets 1.5-3 mm long with awn 10-30 mm long. Fig. 9E-F.
Fairly widespread annual on sandy soils in tropical W.A., N.T. and Qld and subtropical coastal Qld. Flowers Mar.--Sept. Map 92.
W.A.: 23 km SE of Mitchell Plateau Mining Camp, A.S.George 14516 (CANB, L, L, PERTH). N.T.: near McArthur R., S.T.Blake 17764 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, K, MO, NSW, PERTH, PRE, SP); 12 km NE of Pine Creek, C.R.Dunlop 3478 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L); Qld: Cooktown, S.T.Blake 21808 (AD, B, BRI, CANB, K, L, MEL, NSW, US); between Broad Sound and Shoalwater Bay, on Torilla Stn, S.T.Blake 15681 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB, K, L, NSW, NOU, PRE).
5. Schizachyrium pseudeulalia (Hosokawa) S.T.Blake, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 77 (1969)
Microstegium pseudeulalia Hosokawa, Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Formosa 28: 151 (1938). T: Palau, Caroline Is., T.Hosokawa 9189; holo: NY, n.v.; iso: A, n.v. , fide S.T. Blake, op. cit.
Andropogon fragilis R. Br. var. luzoniensis Hack., Philipp. J. Sci. 1 (Suppl.) 267 (1906); Schizachyrium fragile (R.Br.) A.Camus var. luzoniense (Hack.) P.Jansen, Reinwardtia 2: 338 (1953). T: Ambuklao to Daklan, Philippines, E.D.Merrill 4386; lecto: W, n.v. (photo, BRI, K); isolecto: K (photo BRI), fide S.T.Blake, loc. cit.
Andropogon fragilis R.Br. var. malayanus Merr. Enum. Philipp. Pl. 1: 45 (1922). Schizachyrium fragile (R.Br.) A.Camus var. malayanum (Merr.) P.Jansen, Reinwardtia 2: 337 (1953). T: Manila, Philippines, E.D.Merrill 8012; lecto: K (photo BRI), here chosen.
Andropogon cryptopodus Ohwi, Bot. Mag. Tokyo 56: 10 (1942); A. brevifolius Swartz var. cryptopodus (Ohwi) Reeder, J. Arnold Arb. 29: 363 (1948). T: Mori, West New Guinea, R.Kanehira & S.Hatusima 13390; holo: FU, n.v. or BO, n.v.; iso: A (photo BRI).
Illustration: S.T.Blake, Contr. Qld Herb. 17: 62, fig 1D & 1DD (1974).
Culms to 90 cm tall, 0.2-0.35 mm thick, 1-8-nately branched. Leaf lamina 1.5-9 cm long, 0.8-5.5 mm wide; ligule 0.2-1.3 mm long. Spatheoles 2-4.5 cm long, 2.4 mm wide, boat-shaped or involute towards tip; peduncles 3-20 mm long; racemes 5-10-jointed, 1.5-5 cm long, 0.6-1.4 mm wide; internodes 0.2-0.3 mm wide at base, 0.4-0.8 mm wide at tip, scaberulous to ciliate on margins, widened upwards with parallel sides in upper half. Sessile spikelets 4-8 long, 0.7-1 mm wide, 5.5-8 times as long as wide, dorsally compressed, narrowly ovate to narrowly ovate-oblong or very narrowly ovate; callus 0.5-0.7 mm long; lower glume not winged, flattened above, convex below; lower lemma 3/5-4/5 as long as glumes; upper lemma awn 11-30 mm long. Grain narrowly linear ovate, 2-3 long, 0.4-0.6 mm. Pedicelled spikelets 1-1.7 mm long with awn 3-14 mm long. Fig. 9G-H.
A fairly common annual on sandy soil in tropical Australia (W.A., N.T. and Qld) and subtropical coastal Qld. Occurs also in Malesia, Melanesia and the Caroline Is.. Flowers Feb.--Sept. Map 93.
W.A.: Hall's Ck, C.A.Gardner 7150 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Groote Eylandt, D.Levitt 314 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Mt. Mulligan, J.R.Clarkson 5860 (BRI, K, L, MBA, MEL, MO, NSW, QRS); NW of Pentland near Lolworth, S.T.Blake 19356 (BRI, CANB, K, L, MEL, PERTH); near Yeppoon, S.T.Blake 19963 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, MO).
6. Schizachyrium crinizonatum S.T.Blake, Contr. Qld Herb. 17:22 (1974)
T: near Katherine, N.T., 26 Apr. 1947, S.T.Blake 17477; holo: BRI; iso: AD, B, BRI, CANB, DNA E, K, L, MEL, MO, PERTH, SP, US.
Illustration: S.T.Blake, op. cit. 62, fig. 1F (1974).
Culms to 40 cm tall, 0.35-0.6 mm thick. Leaf lamina 2-5.5 cm long, 0.9-1.5 mm wid ligule 0.3-0.5 mm long. Spatheoles 3-4 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, boat-shaped or flattened; peduncles 2.5-4 mm long; racemes 4-5-jointed, 2-2.5 cm long, 0.45-0.55 mm wide; internodes c. 0.2 mm wide at base, c. 0.3 mm wide at tip, with a ± horizontal line of hairs above middle, widened upwards with parallel sides in upper half. Sessile spikelets 4.5-6.7 long, 0.35-0.55 mm wide, 9-13 times as long as wide, laterally compressed, very narrowly ovate; callus 0.7-1.3 mm long; lower glume not winged or marginate, very convex, glabrous; upper glume 1-nerved; lower lemma 2/3-3/4 as long as glumes; upper lemma awn 16-23 mm long. Grain narrowly ovate; 2.5-3.4 mm long, 0.35-0.5 mm. Pedicelled spikelets 0.8-2 mm long with awn 9-23 mm long. Fig. 9C-D.
A fairly rare annual usually growing with other Schizachyrium species in sandy soils of tropical Australia. Flowers Mar.--July. Map 94.
W.A.: Foothills of Deception Range, Ord R., E.C.B.Langfield 79A (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: 65 km NE of Pine Creek, C.R.Dunlop 4557 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MEL); 24 km NW of Katherine, S.T.Blake 16032 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L). Qld: 1.3 km ESE of Arukun Aurukun, J.R.Clarkson 4513 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); 9 mi from Townsville towards Rollingstone, S.T.Blake 15758A & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB).
7. Schizachyrium occultum S.T.Blake, Contr. Qld Herb. 17: 24 (1974)
T: Cooktown, Qld, 22 May 1962, May 1962, S.T.Blake 21823; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH.
Illustration: S.T.Blake, op. cit. 62, fig. 1E (1974).
Culms 10 to 30 cm tall, 0.3-0.5 mm thick, branching from several or all nodes. Leaf lamina 1.5-3.5 cm long, 0.6-2 mm wide; ligule 0.15-0.25 mm long. Spatheoles 1.5-3.7 cm long, 3 mm wide, boat-shaped; peduncles 2-4 mm long; racemes 5-10-jointed, 1.2-2.7 cm long, 1-2 mm wide; internodes 0.5 mm wide at base, 0.9-1.1 mm wide at tip, scaberulous to ciliate on margins, stout, cuneate below, oblong upwards. Sessile spikelets 3.75-5.1 long, 0.35-0.5 mm wide, 9-13 times as long as wide, laterally compressed, very narrowly ovate; callus 0.45-0.65 mm long; lower glume not winged or marginate, convex, ± flattened upwards, densely pilose; lower lemma as long as to shorter than glumes; upper lemma awn 9-13 mm long. Grain narrowly ovate, 2.6-3 long, 0.4 mm. Pedicelled spikelets 0.9-1.2 mm long with awn 5-8 mm long.
An annual found in sandy soils of northern Qld and one record from Maria Is., N.T., usually associated with other Schizachyrium species. Flowers Mar.--Aug. Map 95.
N.T.: Maria Is., Gulf of Carpentaria, C.R.Dunlop 2999 (CANB, DNA). Qld: Qld: Cooktown, S.T.Blake 15062 (BRI, CANB, K, NSW; Endeavour R., J.Shirley s.n. (BRI, K); near Mareeba, S.T.Blake 13388A (BRI, K, NSW, US); Townsville, Castle Hill, S.T.Blake 8172A (BRI, CANB, K).
8. Schizachyrium dolosum S.T.Blake, Contr. Qld Herb. 17: 26 (1974)
T: Croydon, Qld, 18 July 1954, S.T.Blake 19617; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, DNA, K, MEL, NSW.
Illustration: S.T.Blake, op. cit. 62, fig. 1G (1974).
Culms to 100 cm tall, 0.35-0.8 mm thick, usually sparsely branched. Leaf lamina 2-6 cm long, 0.8-1.5 mm wide; ligule 0.4-1 mm long. Spatheoles 2.5-4.5 cm long, 3-4 mm wide, flattened; peduncles 2-6 mm long; racemes 4-7-jointed, 1.7-2.5 cm long, 1-1.2 mm wide; internodes c. 0.6 mm wide at base, 0.8-1 mm wide at tip, hairy below, glabrous above, nearly oblong. Sessile spikelets 4.3-8 long, 0.55-0.9 mm wide, 7-10 times as long as wide, laterally compressed, very narrowly ovate; callus 0.8-1.3 mm long; lower glume not winged or marginate, flattened above, convex below, glabrous or pilose in lower part; upper glume 1-nerved; lower lemma 3/5-4/5 as long as glumes; upper lemma awn 12-18 mm long. Grain linear or narrowly linear ovate, 2.3-2.5 long, 0.45-0.6 mm. Pedicelled spikelets 1-1.5 mm long with awn 12-18 mm long.
An annual found in sandy soils of northern Qld usually associated with other Schizachyrium species. Flowers Mar.--Apr. and July. Map 96.
Qld: near Chillagoe, S.T.Blake 13572A (BRI); Cairns, S.T.Blake 13357 (BRI,K); about 40 mi NW of Mungana, S.T.Blake 13735 (BRI, CANB, K, L, MBA, MEL, NSW); 12 mi N of Esmeralda Stn, M.Lazarides 4735 (AD, B, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, NSW, PERTH, US).
22. ARTHRAXON
Arthraxon P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. III, fig. 11(6) /6 (1812); from the Greek arthron (joint) and axon (axis), alluding to the jointed rachis.
Type: A. ciliaris P.Beav. = A. hispidus (Thunb.) Makino
Loosely tufted annuals, geniculate at lower nodes, branching at upper nodes. Leaf lamina lanceolate, amplexicaul at base; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal, subdigitate; racemes paired or clustered with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, laterally compressed. Glumes ± similar; lower glume coriaceous or chartaceous, convex on the back, muricate along nerves; upper glume convex on back, keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma linear, bilobed, with a geniculate, glabrous awn; palea present or absent. Grain linear, terete. Pedicelled spikelets absent, reduced to short pedicels which are free of rachis.
A genus of 25 species in the Old World tropics, mainly India; 2 species in Australia with no forage value.
N.Bor in Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan 96-103 (1960) J.W.Vickery, Arthraxon in Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 28-29 (1961); P.C.van Welzen, A taxonomic revision of the genus Arthraxon Beauv. (Gramineae) in Blumea 27: 255-300 (1981).
1 Spikelets to 5 mm long; leaf sheaths densely covered
with tubercle-based hairs 1. A. hispidus
1: Spikelets c. 7 mm long; leaf sheaths lightly covered
with tubercle-based hairs 2. A. castratus
1. Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino in Bot. Mag. Tokyo 26: 214 (1912)
Phalaris hispida Thunb. Fl. Jap. 44 (1784) (1878). T: Japan, holo: UPS n.v. , fide van Welzen, op.cit.; iso: BM (photo BRI, K).
Arthraxon ciliaris (as `ciliare') P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr.: 111, fig. 11(6) /6 (1812). T: A. Richard s.n., cult.; holo: P, n.v. , fide van Welzen, op.cit.
Pleuroplitis langsdorffii Trin., Fund. Agrost. 175, t. 16 (1820); Arthraxon ciliaris ssp. langsdorfii (Trin.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monog. Phan. 6: 354 (1889). T: Nagasaki, Japan, Langsdorff s.n.; holo: LE, n.v. , fide van Welzen, op.cit.; iso: BM (photo BRI, K).
Arthraxon ciliaris var. australis Benth. (as `ciliare' var. `australe'), Fl. Austral. 7: 524 (1878), A. ciliaris f. pallidus Domin, (as `pallida'), Biblioth. Bot. 85: 263 (1915). T: New England, N.S.W., C.Stuart s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI).
Arthraxon ciliaris var. tenellus Benth. (as `ciliare'), Fl. Austral. 7: 524 (1878). T: Toowoomba, F.M.Bailey s.n.; holo: BRI.
Arthraxon ciliaris var. muriculatus Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 7: 146 (1897). T: n.v.
[Batratherum echinatum echinatus auct. non Nees, Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 524 (1878)]
[Andropogon echinatus auct. non (Nees) B.Heyne ex Steud., Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 524 (1878)].
Illustrations: C.-C.Hsu, Taiwan grasses 636, pl.213 (1975); C.-C.Hsu, Fl.Taiwan 5: 619, pl.1454 (1978); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 112 (1983).
Culms to 75 cm tall. Leaf lamina 2-6 cm long, 4-15 mm wide, broadly lanceolate with cordate base and acuminate apex; ligule a hair-fringed membrane to 2 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate; racemes spike-like, 1-5, 1-2.5 cm long; internodes longer than pedicels, 3 mm long, ciliate at apex. Sessile spikelets 4-5 long, 1 mm wide, lanceolate-linear; lower glume acute, firmly chartaceous with rows of antrorse spines, glabrous, 9-nerved; upper glume lanceolate-acute; lower lemma membranous with glabrous margins, narrowly triangular, glabrous; upper lemma bifid to bilobed, with awn 8-9 mm long; upper palea absent. Anthers 2, c. 1 mm long. Pedicel glabrous. Fig. 8G-H.
Fringes of rainforests and wet Eucalyptus forests of coastal SE Qld and northern N.S.W. Extends through New Guinea to India, and Japan. Flowers Mar.--July. Map 97.
Qld: Near Kenilworth, on sand-spit in Booloumba Ck, S.T.Blake 13999 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, NSW, US); near Glenapp, at foot of Mt. Chinghee, S.T.Blake 14321 (AD, B, BRI, CANB, CHR, DNA, L, K, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH, PRE, SP). Myora, Stradbroke Is, Mar. 1915, C.T.White s.n. (BRI). NSW: Alstonville, May 1951. F.C.Crofts s.n. (NSW).
This species is recognised as Vulnerable in J.D.Briggs & J.H.Leigh, Rare or Threatened Australian Plants (1995).
2. Arthraxon castratus (Griff.) Naray. ex Bor, Flora Assam 5: 376 (1940)
Andropogon castratus Griff., Notul. 3: 89 (1851). T: India, Griffith s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI).
Culms 40-60 cm tall. Leaf lamina 3-9 cm long, 6-10 mm wide, broadly lanceolate with cordate base and acuminate apex; ligule a hair-fringed membrane to 1.2 mm long. Inflorescence a single raceme; racemes spike-like, 1, 4-5-jointed, 1-3 cm long; internodes longer than pedicels, 4 mm long, ciliate at apex. Sessile spikelets 7-8 long, 1.8 mm wide, lanceolate-linear; lower glume acute, firmly chartaceous with rows of antrorse spines, glabrous, 9-nerved; upper glume lanceolate-acute; lower lemma membranous with pilose margins, narrowly triangular, glabrous; upper lemma 5-5.5 mm long, entire, with awn 18-20 mm long; upper palea c. 3 mm long. Anthers 3, c. 2 mm long. Grain 2.5 mm long. Pedicel pilose. Fig. 8F.
Only one Australian record from sclerophyll woodland of Horn Is., Torres Strait. India, Sri Lanka. Flowers July. Map 98.
Qld: Horn Is., Torres Strait, E.Cameron 2088 (BRI).
23. HYPARRHENIA
Hyparrhenia Anderss. ex Fourn., Mex. Pl. 2: 51 (1886); from the Greek hypo (under) and arren (masculine), alluding to the male spikelets at the base of the racemes.
Type: H. foliosa (Kunth) Anderss. ex Fourn = H. bracteata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Stapf
Compactly tufted perennials, erect from base. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence a large, compound, spatheate, open panicle; racemes paired with raceme-base filiform, with homogamous spikelets at base and internodes and pedicels linear. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets narrowly lanceolate or oblong, dorsally compressed or terete. Glumes ± similar; lower glume coriaceous, 2-keeled in upper third, convex on back, truncate or notched; upper glume boat shaped, keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, bidentate, with a geniculate hairy awn; palea absent. Grain oblong, subterete. Pedicelled spikelets awned or aristulate, male or sterile, pedicels free of rachis.
An Old World genus of 55 species mainly in Africa. Of the four three species in Australia, three 2 are naturalised exotics and one possibly native; they occur in tropical and subtropical regions. The genus provides valuable grazing in Africa and species introduced to Australia were considered useful pasture species.
Hyparrhenia, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 55-57 (1961); W.D.Clayton, A revision of the genus Hyparrhenia, Kew Bull. Addit. Ser 2:1-196(1969); W.D.Clayton, Some discriminant functions for Hyparrhenia, Studies in the Gramineae: XLI, Kew Bull. 30: 511-520 (1975), W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, in R.M.Polhill (ed.), Hyparrhenia, Fl. Tropical East Africa, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae 3: 788-819 (1982).
1 Spikelets covered with rufous hairs 1. H. rufa
1: Spikelets glabrous or with white hairs
2 Upper raceme with 2 homogamous
spikelet pairs at the base 2. H. filipendula
2: Upper raceme with or without one
homogamous spikelet pair at the base 3. H. hirta
1.*Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees) Stapf in Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 304 (191 1919)
Trachypogon rufus Nees, Agrost. Bras.: 345 (1829). T: Brazil, Piaui, C.Martius s.n.; holo: M (photo BRI, K).
Culms 30-300 cm tall. Leaf lamina 10-60 cm long, 2-8 mm. Inflorescence 5-80 cm long. Spatheole 2.5-5 cm long; peduncles glabrous or stiffly villous, lower 0.75-1.5 mm long, upper 3-4 mm long; racemes 1.5-4 cm long, 5-8-jointed, 6-16-awned per pair, sometimes deflexed on maturity with 0-1 homogamous spikelet pairs at base of lower raceme and no homogamous spikelet pairs at base of upper raceme. Sessile spikelets 5-5.5 mm long, narrowly-elliptic; callus 0.2-0.8 mm long. Glumes thin chartaceous to coriaceous; lower glume truncate or 2-dentate, pubescent with stiff rufous hairs, 7-11-nerved; upper glume acute, slightly hairy on margins; upper lemma stipitiform, with awn 23-30 mm long and column hairs 0.2-0.4 mm long. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5-5.5 mm long, male or neuter, narrowly-elliptic; lower glume 9-13-nerved, acute; upper glume 3-nerved; lemmas membranous, lower 3-nerved. Thatch grass, Jaragua grass.
There are two subspecies:
Peduncles glabrous or pubescent; racemes not deflexed subsp. rufa
Peduncles bearded with tubercle-based hairs; racemes
sometimes deflexed at maturity subsp. altissima
1a. Hyparrhenia rufa subsp. rufa
Illustrations: Andrews, Fl. Pl. Sudan 3: 467, t.117 (1956); F. N. Hepper, Fl. W. Trop. Africa, ed.2,3: 493, t.455 (1972), both as Hyparrhenia rufa.
Culms 30-200 cm tall. Leaf lamina 30-60 cm long, 2-8 mm. Spatheole 3-5 cm long; peduncles glabrous, lower 1-1.5 mm long, upper 3-4 mm long; racemes 1.5-2.5 cm long, 5-6-jointed, 6-14-awned per pair, not deflexed at maturity with 0-1 homogamous spikelet pairs at base of upper raceme. Sessile spikelets 3.5-8 mm long; glumes thinly chartaceous, lower 7-9-nerved; upper lemma with awn 20-30 mm long and column hairs 0.2-0.4 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5-6 mm long, neuter; lower glume 9-11-nerved. Fig. 10I.
An African savanna species introduced to Australia, where it is naturalised in occurs in coastal areas of central and southern Qld. Flowers Feb.--Aug. Map 99.
Qld: 6 km S of Parapi, on road to Mirian, B.K.Simon 2575 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); 6 km S of Nebo, E.R.Anderson 902 (BRI, K, NSW, US); Lowmead, B.K.Simon 2557 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); 3 km from Moorlands Moorland on road to Bundaberg, M.D.Crisp 2680 (BRI, CBG, NSW).
1b. Hyparrhenia rufa subsp. altissima (Stapf) B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 3:86 (1989)
Andropogon altissimus Hochst. ex A.Braun, Flora 24: 277 (1841), non Raspail (1825) nec Colla (1836); Hyparrhenia altissima Stapf in Prain, Fl.Trop.Africa 9:307 (1919) (1918)., nom.nov. T: Ethiopia, plants cultivated at Karlsruhe from seed collected by Schimper, iso: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon fulvicomus var. approximatus Hochst. in sched., G.W.Schimper, Sched. Itin. Abyss Schimp., Iter Abyss. 2: 928 (1842), Schimper 928, iso: K (photo BRI).
Culms 100-300 cm tall. Leaf lamina 10-30 cm long, 2-5 mm. Inflorescence 20-30 cm long. Spatheole 2.5-5 cm long; peduncles stiffly villous, lower 0.75-1 mm long, upper 3-3.5 mm long; racemes 3-4 cm long, 6-8-jointed, 12-16-awned per pair, sometimes deflexed on maturity with no homogamous spikelet pairs at base of upper raceme. Sessile spikelets 5-5.5 mm long; callus c. 0.3 mm long; glumes coriaceous, lower 9-11-nerved; lower lemma linear; upper lemma stipitiform, with awn 23-26 mm long and column hairs c. 0.3 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5-5.5 mm long, male; lower glume 11-13-nerved. Fig. 10J.
A savanna grass from high altitude savannas of Africa and found naturalised in northern Qld and the Newcastle region of N.S.W. Flowers Mar., May--June. Map 100.
Qld: Malanda, R.Johnston [AQ262567](BRI); near Ingham, S.L.Everist 5172 (BRI). N.S.W.: Belmont, N.Lloyd 415 (BRI,PERTH); Doyalson, N.Lloyd 414 (BRI,NSW); Sandgate, NW of Newcastle, R.Storey 7588 (CANB).
2. Hyparrhenia filipendula (Hochst. ex C. Krauss) Stapf in Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 322 (1919)
Andropogon filipendulus Hochst. ex C. Krauss, Flora 29: 115 (1846). T: South Africa, Natal, C.F.Krauss 28; iso: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon filipendulus var. pilosus Hochst. ex C. Krauss, Flora 29: 115 (1846); Hyparrhenia filipendula var. pilosa (Hochst.) Stapf in Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 324 (1919). T: South Africa, Durban, C.F.Krauss 164; iso: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon procerus F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 124 (1873) non R.Br. (1810). Andropogon lachnatherus Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 534 (1878), nom.nov.; A. filipendulus var. lachnatherus (Benth.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle, Monograph Phan. 6: 635 (1889); Hyparrhenia filipendula var. lachnathera (Benth.) Jansen, Act. Bot. Neerl. 2: 382 (1953). T: Islands of Moreton Bay, Aug 1855, F.Mueller; lecto: K (photo BRI), fide W.D.Clayton, Kew Bull. Addit. Ser. 2: 97 (1969).
Illustrations: F.Turner, Australian Grasses 1: fig.6 (1895) as Andropogon lachnatherus; J.C.Tothill and J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 274 (1983).
Culms 60-150 cm tall, branching from lower nodes or rarely simple. Leaf lamina 15-30 cm long, 1.5-5 mm. Inflorescence 20-90 cm long. Spatheole 4.5-5.5 cm long; peduncles glabrous, lower 1-1.5 mm long, upper 6-8 mm long; racemes 2-3-jointed, 1-1.2 cm long, 2-4-awned per pair, not deflexed at maturity with one homogamous spikelet pairs at base of lower raceme and 2 homogamous spikelet pairs at base of upper raceme. Sessile spikelet6-8 mm long, spikelets narrowly-elliptic; callus 1.8-3 mm long. glumes thinly chartaceous; lower glume truncate or 2-dentate, glabrous to villous with white hairs, 9-11-nerved; upper glume truncate, thinly ciliolate; lower lemma linear; upper lemma stipitiform, with awn 40-50 mm long and column hairs 0.7-1.2 mm long. Anthers 1.5-2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 6-7 mm long, male, narrowly-elliptic; lower glume 9-11-nerved, produced into a bristle 1-2 mm long; upper glume 3-nerved; lemmas membranous, lower 1-3-nerved, upper 1-nerved. Tambookie grass.
Fairly widespread in coastal areas of Qld and NSW, spreading through Malesia to Sri Lanka and abundant in Africa. Flowers Nov.--June. Map 101.
Qld: Mareeba, S.T.Blake 9488 (BRI, K); 10 km s of Pinnacle, B.K.Simon 3320 (BRI, CANB); Middle Percy Is., M.Lazarides 5681 BRI, CANB, K); Enoggera, C.E.Hubbard 3006 (BRI, K); Copmanhurst, May 1916, J.L.Boorman s.n. (BRI, NSW).
Two varieties have been recognised traditionally with glabrous spikelets (var. filipendula, very rare in Australia) or hairy spikelets (var. pilosa, the form commonly found in Australia) but the distinction is not worth upholding (W.D.Clayton in Kew Bull. 30: 579 (1975)).
3. *Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf in Prain, Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 315 (1919)
Andropogon hirtus L., Sp. Pl.: 1:1046 (1753). T: Italy, J.Burser I.119; holo; UPS, n.v., fide W.D.Clayton, op.cit.
Hyparrhenia quarrei Robyns, Fl. Agrost. Belge 1: 171 (1929) & Bull. Jard. Bot. Brux. 8: 234 (1930). T: Zaire, Kafubu, Congo, P.Quarre 199; holo; BR (photo BRI, K).
Illustrations: R.Pilger in Engler & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 14e: xx, t.92 (1940); J.M.Black, Fl.South Australia, rev. J.P.Jessop, t.214 (1978); N.T.Burbidge (rev. S.W.L.Jacobs), Australian Grasses 159 (1984).
Culms 30-60 cm tall, sometimes geniculately ascending from prostrate base. Leaf lamina 2-30 cm long, 1-4 mm. Inflorescence 15-30 cm long. Spatheole 3-8 cm long; peduncles stiffly villous, lower 0.7-1 mm long, upper 2.5-5 mm long; racemes 4-8-jointed, 2-4 cm, 8-16-awned per pair, sometimes deflexed on maturity. Homogamous spikelet pairs 1 at base of lower raceme. Homogamous spikelet pairs 0-1 at base of upper raceme. Sessile spikelets 4-6.5 mm long, narrowly-elliptic; callus 0.5-1.5 mm long. Glumes hyaline; lower glume truncate, white villous, 9-nerved; upper glume obtuse, slightly hairy on margins; lower lemma linear; upper lemma stipitiform, with awn 10-35 mm long and column hairs 0.1-0.2 mm long. Anthers 1.8-2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 5-6 mm long, male, narrowly-elliptic; lower glume 9-nerved, acute; upper glume 3-nerved; lemmas membranous. Coolatai grass.
A widespread species from the Mediterranean and NE tropical Africa through to Pakistan and in South Africa with isolated records in tropical Africa. Introduced to Australia where it is naturalised in northern and SE Qld, coastal and northern N.S.W., S S.A., northern Victoria, central N.T. and south-western W.A. Flowers Mar.--Aug. Map 102.
W.A.: Rockingham, G.Perry 929 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: near Barrow Ck, E.Gauba 596 (CBG). S.A.: Adelaide, W.K.Harris s.n.(BRI). Qld: 2 km N of Coolum, B.K.Simon 2534 & P.Sharpe (BRI, CANB, K, NSW). N.S.W.: Coolatai Stn, Warialda, Aug 1930, H.J.Walker s.n.(BRI). Vic: Murray Valley Study area, north of Lancaster, Aug 1991, A.Brown 309 (BRI, MEL).
24. HETEROPOGON
Heteropogon Pers., Syn. Pl. 2: 533 (1807); from the Greek heteros (different) and pogon (beard), alluding to the difference between the awnless male and awned female spikelets.
Type: H. glaber Pers. (nom.illeg.) = H. contortus (L.) Roemer & Schultes
Compactly tufted perennials, erect from base or geniculate at lower nodes. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence mainly terminal; racemes solitary, with homogamous spikelets at base and internodes and pedicels linear. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate-linear, terete with callus pungent. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume coriaceous, clasping margins of upper glume, obscurely 2-keeled, convex on back, truncate; upper glume convex on back, 2-keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, entire with a geniculate, hairy awn; palea minute. Grain lanceolate, channelled on one side. Pedicelled spikelets larger than sessile spikelets, lanceolate, male or sterile, pedicels free of rachis. A pantropic genus of c. 8 species, mostly Old World.
Of the two species native to Australia one is pantropic and the other extends to India. H. contortus is an important rangeland species in northern and eastern Australia.
C.A.Gardner, Heteropogon, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 341 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Heteropogon, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 57-58 (1961).
Racemes greater than 9 cm long; fertile spikelets
12-14 mm long including a c. 6 mm long callus 1. H. triticeus
Racemes less than 6 mm long; fertile spikelets
6-8 mm long including a c. 2 mm long callus 2. H. contortus
1. Heteropogon triticeus (R.Br.) Stapf ?& Graib in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1912: 432 (1912)
Andropogon triticeus R.Br. Prodr. 201 (1810). T: Groote Eylandt, N.T., 15 Jan. 1803, R.Brown [6179]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI), MEL (photo BRI).
Heteropogon insignis Thwaites, Enum. Ceyl. Pl. 437 (1864). T: Ceylon, G.H.K.Thwaites 3804; holo: K (photo BRI).
Culms 80-300 cm tall, branched from upper nodes; nodes glabrous. Lower leaf sheaths flattened. Leaf lamina 20-60 cm long, 4-16 mm wide, flat or folded. Inflorescence 7-12 cm long, single; racemes 12-26-jointed; internodes longer than pedicels; internodes with a thick fringe of rufous hairs, the whole forming the callus together with pungent apex, 3-5 mm long, glabrous. Sessile spikelets 10-12 mm long; callus hairs 2-3 mm long; lower glume rounded, rounded on back or incurved, coriaceous, sparsely hairy, 5-nerved, hyaline; upper glume 3-nerved, as long as lower, coriaceous with hyaline margins, sparsely hairy in middle; lower lemma c. 4 mm long, membranous; upper lemma c. 5 mm long, strap-like, with awn 70-100 mm long. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 18-22 mm long, male or neuter, obliquely lanceolate; lower glume asymmetrical with hyaline wing from one keel, glabrous; upper glume a little shorter, acute to acuminate, slightly hairy on margins; lower lemma c. 14 mm long, linear; upper lemma c. 12 mm long. Giant Speargrass. Fig. 8A-B.
Eucalyptus forests and woodlands of northern and eastern Australia (N.T. and Qld) through SE Asia to India. Flowers Dec.--Oct. Map 103.
N.T.: 7 km ESE of Cooinda on Pine Creek road, M.Lazarides 8804 (CANB, DNA); 1 m S of Edith R. near Stuart Hwy, I.B.Wilson 243 (CANB, DNA, K, L, NSW, US). Qld: 20 km SE of Mareeba on Tinaroo Ck road, B.J.Conn & J.De Campo 1192 (BRI, CANB, MEL); 7 mi N of Conjuboy Stn, M.Lazarides 4192 (BRI, CANB); Stange Strange Bay, Shoalwater Bay, S.T.Blake 15628 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB, K).
2. Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roemer & Schultes, Syst. Veg. 2: 836 (1817)
Andropogon contortus L., Sp. Pl.: 1:1045 (1753); Heteropogon hirtus Pers., Syn. Pl. 2: 533 (1807).
Andropogon allionii Lam. & A.L.P.P.De Candolle, Fl. France 3: 97 (1805); H. allionii (Lam. & DC.) Roemer & Schultes, Syst. Veg. 2: 835 (1817)
Heteropogon glaber Pers., Syn. Pl. 2: 533 (1807); Heteropogon firmus Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1: 334 (1830); Heteropogon roxburghii Arn. ex Nees in Nov. Act. Cur. 19, Suppl. 1, 183 (1843); Andropogon bellardi Bubani, Nuov. Giorn. Bot. Ital. 5: 317 (1873); Heteropogon contortus var. glaber (Pers.) Hack. in Mart., Fl. Bras. 2(3): 268 (1883); Andropogon contortus var. glaber (Pers.) Hack. in DC, Monograph Phan 6: 587 (1889); H. contortus subvar. roxburghii (Arn. ex Nees) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 276 (1915). T: India, illustration in Plukenet, Phyt., fig. 191/5 (1692).
Andropogon striatus R.Br., Prodr. 201 (1810) non Klein ex Willd. (1806). T: Endeavour R, Qld, 1770, J.Banks & D.Solander s.n., BM (photo BRI).
Heteropogon polystachyus Nees, Agrost. Bras. 364 (1829). T: Brazil, n.v.
Illustrations: W.D.Clayton and S.A.Renvoize, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae t. 191 (1982); R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley region W. Australia t.63 (1983); J.C.Tothill and J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 258 (1983).
Culms 50-100 cm tall, branched from upper nodes; nodes glabrous. Lower leaf sheaths flattened. Leaf lamina 10-30 cm long, 3-7 mm wide, flat or folded. Inflorescence 3-7 cm long, single; racemes 7-20-jointed; internodes slightly longer than pedicels; internodes with a thick fringe of rufous hairs. Sessile spikelets 5-7 mm long; callus hairs 1-1.5 mm long; lower glume rounded, rounded on back or incurved, coriaceous, sparsely hairy, obscurely 5-nerved, hyaline; upper glume 3-nerved, as long as lower, coriaceous with hyaline margins, strap-like, c. 4 mm long, with awn 50-80 mm long. Anthers 2.5-3 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 6-10 mm long, male or neuter, obliquely lanceolate; lower glume asymmetrical with hyaline wing from one keel, with tubercle-based hairs along margins; upper glume subequal, acute to acuminate, slightly hairy on margins and keel; lower lemma c. 7 mm long, linear to lanceolate; upper lemma c. 7 mm long, linear-lanceolate. Anthers c. 3 mm long. Bunch speargrass, Black speargrass. Fig. 8C.
A pantropic species found in Australia in the wet tropical savannas from northern N.S W. to the Kimberley region of W.A. Very variable morphologically, particularly the hairiness of the pedicelled spikelet. Readily eaten by stock although the seed, with its pungent callus, presents a problem at maturity. Flowers all year. Map 104.
W.A.: Sir Graham Moore Is., P.G.Wilson 11177 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: 25 km NE of Rabbit Flat roadhouse, P.A.Latz 8655 (BRI, CANB, DNA); Bauhinia Downs Stn, G.Whiteman 1846 & G.Leach (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Springmount Stn, J.R.Clarkson 4607 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MBA, PERTH, QRS). N.S.W.: Copmanhurst, May 1916, J.R.L.Boorman s.n. (BRI, NSW).
25. THEMEDA
Themeda Forssk., Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.:178 (1775); from the Arabic thaemed (little water), possibly referring to water storage cells on the upper surface of the leaves or to the habitat of the type specimen in Yemen, fide L.K.A.Chippindall & A.O.Crook, Grasses of Southern Africa (1976).
Type: T. triandra Forssk.
Anthistiria L.f., in D.E.Naezén, Nov. Gram. Gen.:35 (1780) & Suppl. Pl.:13 (1781).
Type: A. ciliata L.f. = T. quadrivalvis (L.) Kuntze
Compactly tufted annuals or perennials, erect from base; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Leaf lamina linear. Inflorescence terminal and axillary forming large panicle, spatheate; racemes paired, with homogamous spikelets at base, forming an involucre with internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, terete, with pungent callus. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume coriaceous, convex on back, truncate; upper glume sulcate on back. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma stipitiform, entire, with a geniculate, hairy awn; palea absent. Grain lanceolate or linear, subterete or channelled on one side. Pedicelled spikelets larger than sessile, male or sterile, pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of 18 species from the tropics and subtropics of the Old World, but mainly in Asia. Of the 4 species native to Australia, 1 is very widespread in all states, 1 is endemic but widespread, occurring in all mainland states and 1 is tropical (W.A., N.T. and Qld) and extends throughout SE. Asia and 1 occurs in the Torres Strait and throughout most of SE Asia. There is one species from Asia which is a naturalised weed. Four species are native to Australia (1 is endemic), and a fifth species is a naturalised weed. Economically The genus includes the useful forage perennial T. triandra, which tolerates a wide variety of habitats and the weedy T. quadrivalvis.
C.A.Gardner, Themeda, F. W. Australia 1(1): 342-345 (1952), P.Jansen, Notes on Malaysian grasses II, Acta Bot. Neerl. 1: 468-483 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Themeda, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 59-63 (1961); S.T.Blake, Themeda, Iseilema and Germainia in Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Studies in the Gramineae, No.1, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 81-82 (1969); W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize in R.M.Polhill (ed.), Themeda, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae 829-831 (1982); B.K.Simon, What is the correct name for Kangaroo grass?, Austral. Syst. Bot. Soc. Newsletter 43: 15-17 (1985).
1 Some involucral spikelets a little
above the others
2 Involucral spikelets to 10 mm long, with golden
tubercle-based hairs 1. T. intermedia
2: Involucral spikelets 19-28 mm long, glabrous 2. T. avenacea
1: Involucral spikelets all at the same level
3 Fertile spikelet with an awn 7-9 cm
long and a pungent callus 3-4 mm long 3. T. arguens
3: Fertile spikelet with an awn less than
7 cm long and a callus 1-3 mm long
4 Perennial; involucral spikelets 8-14 mm long;
sessile spikelets 6-11 mm long 4. T. triandra
4: Annual; involucral spikelets 4-7 mm long;
sessile spikelets 4-5 mm long 5. T. quadrivalvis
1. Themeda intermedia (Hack.) Bor, Indian For.Rec. (Bot.)1(3):96 (1938)
Themeda gigantea var. intermedia Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6:675 (1889). T: India, Khasia Hills, Hook. f & Thomson s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI).
Perennial with culms to 300 cm tall, erect. Leaf sheaths at base glabrous, flabellate; ligule 1-2 mm long. Leaf lamina 40-100 cm long, 4-15 mm wide, flat. Spatheole 1.5-3 cm long, glabrous. Inflorescence to 100 cm long; racemes 1-2 in each raceme cluster, with 2-3 fertile spikelets, 1.5-2 cm long. Homogamous spikelets with one pair a little above the other, 11-14 mm long; lower glume of homogamous spikelet long acuminate, pilose with long brown hairs. Sessile spikelets c. 10 mm long; callus c. 0.5 mm long; lower glume dark brown, hispid and tuberculate-scabrid, with awn 0.5-0.8 cm long, scabrous. Pedicelled spikelets 13-15 mm long, densely hispid. Fig. 11A-C.
One record from Cape Upstart, Queensland and extending Extending from Cape York Peninsula Torres Strait to New Guinea, Malesia and Burma. Flowers Apr. Map 105.
Qld: Moa Is., S.Budworth 1032 (BRI); Cape Upstart, R.J.Cumming 11374 (BRI).
2. Themeda avenacea (F.Muell.) Hack. ex Maiden & Betche, Cens. New South Wales Pl. 15 (1916)
Anthistiria avenacea F.Muell., Fragm. 5: 206 (1866); Themeda gigantea (Cav.) Hack. subsp. avenacea (F.Muell.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monog. Phan. 6: 677 (1889); T. gigantea var. avenacea (Muell.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monog. Phan. 6: 677 (1889). T: between Darling R. and Coopers Ck, [Qld], Neilson s.n.; syn: MEL (photo BRI); Murchison R., W.A., A.F.Oldfield s.n.: syn MEL (photo BRI).
Anthistiria basisericea F.Muell., Fragm. 5: 207 (1866). T: holo: xxx, MEL.
Themeda gigantea var. latifrons Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 277 (1915). T: Qld, Flinders R., Hughenden, Feb. 1910, K.Domin [891 & 892]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
[Anthistiria gigantea auct. non. Cav.: Ewart & Davies, Fl. N.Terr. 32 (1917)]
Illustrations: F.Turner, Australian Grasses 1: fig. 8 (1895) as Anthistriria avenacea; M.Lazarides, Grasses central Australia, t.69b (1970).
Perennial with culms 100-200 cm tall, erect. Leaf sheaths at base woolly-villous, not flabellate; ligule 2-7 mm long. Leaf lamina 15-100 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, usually folded. Spatheole 3-9 cm long, glabrous. Inflorescence 15-100 cm long; racemes 1-3 in each raceme cluster, with 1-2 fertile spikelets, 1-6 cm long. Homogamous spikelets with one pair a little above the other, 20-30 mm long; lower glume of homogamous spikelet long acuminate, glabrous. Sessile spikelets 13-17 mm long; lower glume brown, smooth, densely villous, with awn 4-10 cm long, shortly villous to scabrous above. Pedicelled spikelets 20-30 mm long, glabrous. Native oatgrass. Fig. 11F.
An endemic species growing in the drier regions of all mainland states. Flowers Nov.--Sept. Map 106.
W.A.: 8 mi W of Mundiwindi, R.D.Royce 1505 (PERTH). N.T.: Deaf Adder Gorge, C.R.Dunlop 4991 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K). S.A.: xxx, July 1966, F.Turrey s.n. (AD, CBG). Qld: Prairie, C.E.Hubbard 7022 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K). N.S.W.: Bourke, July 1950, W.P.Dunk s.n. (MEL). Vic.: Tennyson, Jan. 1962, R.H.Beattie s.n. (MEL).
3. Themeda arguens (L.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 6: 657 (1889)
Stipa arguens L., Sp. Pl. 2: 117 (1762); Anthistiria arguens (L.) Willd. in Sp. Pl. 4: 901 (1806); Anthistiria ciliata L.f. var. major Thwaites, Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 366 (1864); Themeda forskalii Hack. var. major (Thwaites) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 6: 662 (1889); Anthistiria imberbis Retz. var. major Hook f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 7: 213 (1897); Themeda triandra Forssk var. major (Thwaites) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 279 (1915). T: Malesia; holo: LINN 94.10 in LINN.
Anthistiria frondosa R.Br., Prodr. 1: 200 (1810); Themeda frondosa (R.Br.) Merr., Bur. Sci. Publ. Manila 9: 89 (1917). T: Inglis Is., N.T., 24 Feb. 1803, R.Brown [6195]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K).
Annual with culms 100-300 cm tall, erect or geniculate and ascending. Leaf sheaths at base glabrous, not flabellate. Spatheole 3.5-4 cm long, tuberculate-pilose. Homogamous spikelets with pairs arising at about the same level, 8-10 mm long; lower glume of homogamous spikelet long acuminate, glabrous. Sessile spikelets 9-11 mm long; callus 3-4 mm long; lower glume dark brown, smooth, hispid and tuberculate-scabrid, with awn 7-9 cm long. Pedicelled spikelets 8-10 mm long. Fig. 11G-H.
A fairly widespread tropical species from northern regions of W.A., N.T. and Qld and extending through SE Asia to the Andaman Is.. Flowers Feb.--Sept. Map 107.
W.A.: Camp Ck North, Mitchell Plateau, K.F.Kenneally 5135 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Calvert Hills, R.Pullen 9248 (BRI, CANB, DNA); Berry Springs, J.Must 1390 (CANB, CBG, DNA). Qld: 4 mi N of Laura, D.E.Symon 4798 (AD, BRI, CANB); 4.8 km N of Little Laura R. on Peninsular Developmental road, J.R.Clarkson 4785 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MBA, MO, NSW, PERTH, QRS).
4. Themeda triandra Forssk., Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.:178 (1775)
T: Yemen, P.Forsskal s.n.; holo: C (+), fide W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, F.T.E.A. Gramin.3:829 (1982)
Anthistiria imberbis Retz., Observ. Bot. 3: 11 (1783); A. ciliata L.f. var. imberbis (Retz.) Nees, Linnaea 7: 284 (1832); Anthistiria vulgaris var. imberbis (Retz.) Hack., in H.R.Wawra von Fernsee & G. von M. und L.Beck, Itin. Princ. S. Coburgi 2: 102 (1888), nom. illeg Themeda forskalii forskallii Hack. var. imberbis (Retz.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 6: 661 (1889); Themeda imberbis (Retz.) T.Cooke, Fl. Bombay 2: 993 (1908); Themeda arguens subvar. imberbis (Retz.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 91, 93 (1960). T: Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, A.Sparrman s.n.; holo: LD (photo BRI).
CHECK FOLLOWING LATER
Anthistiria australis R.Br., Prodr. 200 (1810); Themeda australis (R.Br.) Stapf, Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 420 (1919). T: Sydney [Port Jackson], R.Brown [6194]; lecto: BM (photo BRI, K); isolecto: K (photo BRI).
Anthistiria australis var. colorata Anderss., Nov. Act. Reg. Soc. Sci. ser 3, 2: 241 (1856). T: n.v.
Anthistiria australis var. concolor Anderss., Nov. Act. Reg. Soc. Sci. ser 3, 2: 242 (1856). T: n.v.
Anthistiria australis var. pubesceus Anderss., Nov. Act. Reg. Soc. Sci. ser 3, 2: 242 (1856). T: n.v.
Anthistiria cuspidata Anderss., Nov. Act. Reg. Soc. Sci. ser 3, 2: 242 (1856); Themeda triandra subvar. cuspidata (Anderss.) Domin. T: Gaudichaud 1825, n.v.
Anthistiria caespitosa Anderss., Nov. Act. Reg. Soc. Sci. ser 3, 2: 241 (1856). T: W.A., J.Drummond 984; holo: K (photo BRI).
Anthistiria vulgaris Hack 1889; A. forskalii var. vulgaris 1889; A. imberbis var. vulgaris 1897; Themeda triandra var. vulgaris 1915. T: n.v.
Themeda triandra var. caesia Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 279 (1915). T: Yarraba, Qld, Jan 1910, K.Domin [893 & 894]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Themeda triandra var. fascicularis Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 279 (1915). T: Stradbroke Is., Qld, K.Domin [899]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
T. forskalii Hack. subvar. grandiflora Hack., A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 661 (1889); Themeda triandra subvar. grandiflora (Hack.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 278 (1915); T: Tasmania, R.C.Gunn 591; holo: W, n.v. (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI).
T. forskalii Hack. subvar. lagopus Hack., A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 661 (1889). Themeda triandra subvar. lagopus (Hack.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 278 (1915); T: R.Hohenacker 1287, n.v.
Themeda triandra subvar. oligotricha Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 279 (1915). T: Chillagoe, Qld, K.Domin [923]; syn: PR (photo BRI) and Yarraba, Qld, K.Domin [921 & 922]; syn: PR (photo BRI).
Themeda triandra var. praealta Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 279 (1915). T: Cairns, Qld, Dec. 1909, K.Domin [896]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Themeda trianda var. rigidiuscula Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 279 (1915). T: Emu Park, Qld, Mar. 1910, K.Domin [912 & 913]; syn: PR (photo BRI) and Mareeba, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin [911]; syn: PR (photo BRI).
Themeda triandra var. trichospatha Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 279 (1915). T: Yarraba, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR, n.v.
Themeda triandra var. xiphium Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 280 (1915). T: Cloncurry, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin [902, 903 & 904]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
[Anthistiria ciliata auct non. L.f.; Benth, Fl. Austral. 7: 542 (1878)]
Illustrations: F.Turner, Australian Grasses 1: fig.9 (1895) as Anthistiria ciliata; G. M. Cunningham et al, Plants of Western N.S.W. 148 (1981) as Themeda australis; J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 402 (1983) as Themeda australis.
Perennial with culms 30-200 cm tall, erect. Leaf sheaths at base glabrous, not flabellate. Leaf lamina to 30 cm long, 1-8 mm wide, flat. Spatheole 1.5-3.5 cm long, glabrous or tuberculate-pilose. Inflorescence to 30 cm long; racemes 2-8 in each raceme cluster, with 1-2 fertile spikelets. Homogamous spikelets with pairs arising at about the same level, 8-14 mm long; lower glume of homogamous spikelet narrowly elliptic, glabrous or tuberculate-hirsute on keels. Sessile spikelets 6-11 mm long; callus 2-4 mm long; lower glume brown, smooth, with appressed pubescent apex, with awn 2.5-7 cm long, puberulous. Pedicelled spikelets 6-14 mm long, glabrous or tuberculate-pilose; callus 2-3 mm long. Kangaroo grass. Fig. 11E.
A very widespread species, "perhaps the most widespread grass in Australia", fide J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker 1983, but it recently has become scarce as a result of overgrazing. Extends throughout the subtropics and tropics of the Old World. Flowers all year. Map 108.
W.A.: Buller R., N of Geraldton, S.T.Blake 18082 (BRI). N.T.: 14 mi NE of Katherine, I.B.Wilson 99 (BRI, CANB, MEL). S.A.: Adelaide Plains, D.N.Kraehenbuehl 147 (AD, BRI). Qld: 9.1 km N of Laura, J.R.Clarkson 4753 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS). N.S.W.: Arcoola Ck, 12.4 km N of Mt. Wood Homestead, R.J.Chinnock 3586 (AD, MEL). A.C.T. Canberra West, I.Crawford 3452 (BRI).Vic.: Blackburn, T.B.Muir 6804 (BRI, MEL). Tas: Verwood Rd, 1 km from Auburn Rd, A.Brown 162 (BRI, HO, MEL).
5. *Themeda quadrivalvis (L.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl.2:794 (1891)
Andropogon quadrivalvis L. in Murray, Syst. Veg. ed.13: 758 (1774). T: Herb. Linn. 1211.5; lecto: LINN, fide T.Cope in Cafferty, S., Jarvis, C.E. & Turland, N.J. (eds), Taxon 49: 246 (2000).T: India holo; LINN 1211.4 & 1211.5 in LINN.
Anthistiria ciliata L.f., Suppl. Pl. 113 (1881), nom.illeg.; Themeda ciliata (L.f.) Hack. nom.illeg., DC, Monog. Phan. 6: 664 (1889). T: India, n.v.
Illustrations: N.L.Bor in C.C.Townsend et al, Fl.Iraq 9: 553, t. 213 (1968); H.G.Bishop in Grader grass - a nuisance weed, Qld Agric. J. 235, right fig. and 237, fig. 1, 3 (1981).
Annual with culms 120 cm tall, erect. Leaf sheaths at base glabrous, flabellate; ligule 1-2 mm long. Leaf lamina to 60 cm long, 1-6 mm wide, usually folded. Spatheole 1.7-5 cm long, tuberculate-pilose (on margins). Inflorescence to 90 cm long; racemes 1-3 in each raceme cluster, with 1-2 fertile spikelets. Homogamous spikelets with pairs arising at about the same level, 4-7 mm long. Lower glume of homogamous spikelet tuberculate-hirsute (on keels). Sessile spikelets 4-5 mm long; callus c. 0.5 mm long; lower glume brown or dark brown, scaberulous, with awn 2.5-3.8 cm long, shortly villous to scabrous above. Pedicelled spikelet 4-4.5 mm long, glabrous. Grader grass. Fig. 11D.
From India and Burma, now fairly widespread in areas to the east and west of the Indian subcontinent. Naturalised in Australia mostly in subtropical and tropical coastal Qld with a few records from N.T. and W.A. Flowers Feb.--Oct. Map 109.
W.A.: Moola Bulla, 15 km N of Halls Creek, Apr. 1982, C.Glover s.n. (BRI). N.T.: 20 km E of Adelaide R. bridge, M.Rankin 2713 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: 4.8 km N of Little Laura R. on Peninsular Development road, J.R.Clarkson 4776 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MBA, MO, NSW, QRS, PERTH); Farnborough, 13 km NW of Yeppoon, B.K.Simon 2565 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, K); 9 m S of Nebo, R.Story & Yapp 8 (AD, BRI, CANB, MEL, PERTH).
26. ISEILEMA
Iseilema Anderss. in Nova Acta Soc. Sci. Upsal. ser. 3,2: 250 (1856); from the Greek isos (equal) and eilema (a covering or involucre), alluding to the four involucral spikelets.
Type: I. prostratum (L.) Anderss. = Andropogon prostratus L.
Compactly or loosely tufted annuals, erect from base or geniculate at lower nodes. Leaf lamina narrowly linear; ligule an unfringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, a contracted panicle on a short to long peduncle, spatheate; racemes paired, with homogamous spikelets at base, forming an involucre; internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed, with a blunt callus. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume membranous or chartaceous, flattened on back, truncate; upper glume flattened on back. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual or rarely female; lemma stipitiform, entire, with a geniculate glabrous awn; palea absent. Grain oblong, laterally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets smaller than sessile, male or sterile, pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of ± 20 species from India to Australia. Of the 14 12 species in Australia all are endemic, with two being very widespread and the others being fairly restricted. All species are very well regarded as fodder species, the one drawback being their annual habit.
C.E.Hubbard in Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 33: 3284-3286 (1935); S.T.Blake, The genus Iseilema in Queensland in Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 49: 82-94 (1938); C.A.Gardner, Iseilema, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 345-353 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Iseilema, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 63-66 (1961); S.T.Blake, Themeda, Iseilema and Germainia in Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Studies in the Gramineae, No.1, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 80: 81-82 (1969).
A number of species have a very similar appearance are extremely close and further study may necessitate placing some names in synonymy. Blake (1938) reports a number of hybrids between species but I find these even more difficult to discern than some of the species themselves.
1 Inflorescence readily disarticulating
at maturity
2 Racemes ± exserted from floral
sheaths; involucral spikelets 4-4.5 mm long 1. I. macratherum
2: Racemes enclosed within floral sheaths; involucral
spikelets 3-4 mm long, if present
3 Involucral spikelets present in lowest
racemes 2. I. vaginiflorum
3: Involucral spikelets absent 3. I. fragile
1: Inflorescence not disarticulating at maturity
4 Involucral spikelets 4-6.5 mm long
5 Racemes glabrous at base 4. I. calvum
5: Racemes bearded at base
6 Lower glume of involucral spikelet ciliate
on keels 5. I. ciliatum
6: Lower glume of involucral spikelet minutely
scabrid on keels
8 Inflorescence sparse; peduncles very long
and slender 6. I. holmesii
8: Inflorescence ± dense; peduncles short
9 Floral sheaths not glandular on keel; involucral
spikelets 4-5 mm long 7. I. convexum
9: Floral sheaths glandular on keel; involucral
spikelets 5-6.5 mm long
10 Hairs of raceme base 2-3 mm long; lower glume
of sessile spikelet pubescent along sides 8. I. windersii
10: Hairs of raceme base 4-4.5 mm long; lower
glume of sessile spikelet tomentose all
over 9. I. trichopus
4: Involucral spikelets 3-4 mm long
12 Pedicels of involucral spikelets
bearded throughout 10. I. dolichotrichum
12: Pedicels of involucral spikelets
bearded only at base
13 Raceme base with hairs to 2 mm
long 11. I. membranaceum
13: Raceme base with hairs more than 2 mm long 12. I. eremaeum
1. Iseilema macratherum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 283 (1915) as macrathera
T: Chillagoe, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR, n.v., fide C.E.Hubbard in Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3286: 13 (1935).
Illustration: Domin, loc. cit., Tabel 13, Fig. 3; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 102, Fig. C (1952).
Culms 25-70 cm tall; ligule c. 1 mm long. Leaf lamina to 25 cm long, 2-6 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheath glabrous or glandular on keel; spathe 1-1.6 cm long. Inflorescence 5-20 cm long, readily disarticulating at maturity, ± dense; peduncles 1-4 mm long; racemes 8-10 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to to 3 mm long. Involucral spikelets 4-4.5 mm long, with lower glume minutely scabrid on keel. Sessile spikelets 6-7 mm long; lower glume smooth, scabrid on keel above middle. Lemma: awn 2-3 cm long with column 0.8-1.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-5 mm long. Bull Flinders grass. Fig. 12Q-R.
Grows in cracking clay mainly in the Gulf country of N.T. and Qld and isolated occurrences elsewhere in W.A., N.T. and Qld. Flowers Feb.--Aug. Map 110.
W.A.: Noonkanbah Stn, West Kimberley, N.T.Burbidge 295 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: c. 35 mi N of Anthony Lagoon, S.T.Blake 17785 (BRI, CANB, MEL); Qld: Inca Ck, Barkly Hwy, A.Schmid 472 (BRI); Bluff Downs, WNW of Charters Towers, S.T.Blake 1039 (BRI, CANB, K, US).
2. Iseilema vaginiflorum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 281 (1915) as vaginiflora
T: near Hughenden, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR, n.v., fide C.E.Hubbard in Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3286: 15 (1935).
Illustrations: Domin, loc. op. cit., Tabel 13, Fig. 1. Tothill & Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 286 (1983); C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 101 (1952)
Culms to 75 cm tall; ligule 0.5-1 mm long. Leaf lamina to 20 cm long, 2.5-6 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths glandular on keel; spathe 0.9-1.2 cm long, glandular on keel. Inflorescence to 22 cm long, readily disarticulating at maturity, sparse; peduncles 1-2 mm long; racemes 7-8 mm long, enclosed within floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to 1-1.5 mm long. Involucral spikelets 3-4 mm long, with lower glume smooth to minutely scabrid on keel. Sessile spikelets 5.5-7 mm long; lower glume smooth or scaberulous towards apex. Lemma: awn 1.5-2.0 (-2.3) cm long with column 6-9 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-5 mm long. Red Flinders grass. Fig. 12H-I.
Grows in cracking clay soils in tropical and subtropical Australia. Flowers Dec.--July and Sept. Map 111.
W.A.: 5 km on Windjana Gorge road from Gibb R. road, B.K.Simon 3919 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MEL, NSW, PERTH). N.T.: 22 mi N of Argadarga Argadagarda Stn, M.Lazarides 5256 (AD, BRI, CANB, MEL). S.A.: c. 12 km W of Dalhousie Springs on road to Finke, M.G.Corrick (AD, BRI, DNA, MEL). Qld: 6 km from Tambo on road to Augathella, B.K.Simon 3919 & J.R.Clarkson (BRI). N.S.W.: Cultowa, D.W.L.Henderson 382 (BRI, CANB, MEL, NSW).
3. Iseilema fragile S.T.Blake, Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 49: 85 (1938)
Iseilema vaginiflorum var. fragile (S.T.Blake) C.A. Gardn. in C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 353 (1952). T: Hughenden, Qld, 19 May 1936, S.T.Blake 11545; holo: BRI; iso: AD, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, NSW, PERTH, US.
Illustration: S.T.Blake, loc. op. cit., pl. iv; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 102, Fig. F (1952) as Iseilema vaginiflorum var. fragile.
Culms to 20 cm tall; ligule c. 0.75 mm long. Leaf lamina to 7 cm long, 4 mm wide, flat; floral leaf sheaths not glandular on keel; spathe 0.8-1.2 cm long, not glandular on keel. Inflorescence 1-3 cm long, readily disarticulating at maturity, ± dense; peduncles 0.75-1 mm long; racemes to 8 mm long, enclosed within floral sheaths. Raceme base glabrous. Involucral spikelets absent. Sessile spikelets to 7 mm long, glabrous at base; lower glume smooth. Lemma: awn 1.6-1.8 cm long with column to 7 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c. 4.2 mm long, glabrous. Brittle Flinders grass. Fig. 12N.
Grows in cracking clay soils in the Kimberley, the Victoria R. region, the Barkly Tableland and Gulf Country and a few localities in subtropical Qld. Flowers Mar.--Aug. Map 112.
W.A.: Irrigation Research Station, Kunanurra, Kununurra, T.E.Aplin 501 et al. (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: 5 km N of Newcastle Waters turn-off on Stuart Hwy, A.C.Beauglehole 46450 & G.W.Carr (BRI, CANB, DNA); 6 mi NNW of Borroloola, P.K.Latz 1519 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: 3 km NE of Camooweal, P.Ollerenshaw 1281 & D.Kratzing (BRI, CBG, L); Prairie, S.T.Blake 11616 (BRI, NSW).
4. Iseilema calvum C.E.Hubb., Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3286: 1 (1935).
T: Jardine Valley, near Hughenden, Feb. 1931, C.E.Hubbard & C.W.Winders 7173; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: BRI, PERTH.
Illustration: C.E.Hubbard, loc. cit.; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 102, Fig. E (1952).
Culms 15-40 cm tall; ligule c. 1 mm long. Leaf lamina to 25 cm long, 3-6 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths not glandular on keel; spathe 1.2-1.7 cm long, glandular on keel. Inflorescence 4-25 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity, ± dense to interrupted; peduncles 3.5-6 mm long; racemes 7-9 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base glabrous. Involucral spikelets 5.5-6.5 mm long, with lower glume minutely scaberulous. Sessile spikelets 6-7 mm long, glabrous at base; lower glume scaberulous towards apex. Lemma: awn 1.5-2.2 cm long with column 5-10 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-5 mm long, scaberulous. Coarse Flinders grass. Fig. 12D-E.
Grows in cracking clay soils on the Barkly Tableland of NT and the Mitchell grass Downs of Qld. Flowers Jan.--May and Aug. Map 113.
N.T.: 24 mi NE of Anthony Lagoon, S.T.Blake 17791 (BRI). Qld: Iffley Stn, S.T.Blake 12635 (BRI); Toorak, M.Lazarides 4441 (BRI, CANB, NSW, PERTH); near Hughenden, S.T.Blake 11626 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MO, NSW, PERTH, US); Tranby, S.T.Blake 11427 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, L, NSW, PERTH).
5. Iseilema ciliatum C.E. Hubb., Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3286: 6 (1935)
Iseilema membranacea var. trichopus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 281 (1915). T: Towards Mt. Walker, near Hughenden, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI; (fragment K; photo of fragment BRI).
Illustration: C.E.Hubbard, loc. cit.
Culms to 35 cm tall. Leaf lamina to 12 cm long; floral leaf sheaths glandular on keel; spathe 1.2-1.5 cm long, glandular on keel (sometimes). Inflorescence to 7 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity, ± dense; peduncles 2.5-3 mm long; racemes 7.5-8 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to 2 mm long. Involucral spikelets 5-5.5 mm long, with lower glume glabrous, with ciliate keel. Sessile spikelets to 7 mm long, glabrous at base; lower glume scaberulous, 6 nerved, coriaceous; upper glume lanceolate. Lemma 4 mm long; awn 1.8-2.2 cm long with column 1-1.2 mm long. Grain 3.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-3.5 mm long, with glabrous margins, glabrous; pedicels scabrid. Fig. 12A-C
Growing in cracking clay soils in isolated parts of tropical Australia. Flowers Apr.--June. Map 114.
W.A.: 40 miles S of Kalumburu, N.Byrnes 2295 (CANB, DNA); near Mt. House Stn, M.Lazarides 5167 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW). N.T.: Victoria River Downs, P.K.Latz 5428 (DNA, MO, PERTH); O.T Downs Stn, S.T.Blake 17706 (BRI, CANB). Qld: Mt. Walker, near Hughenden, S.T.Blake 11628 (BRI, CANB, NSW).
6. Iseilema holmesii S.T.Blake, Univ. Qd. Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 59 (1944)
T: Kunmunya Mission, W.A., May 1942, G.W.Holmes in herb. R.A. Black 50000.012; holo: MEL; iso: BRI, PERTH.
Iseilema filipes S.T.Blake, Univ. Qd. Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 60 (1944). T: Kunmunya Mission, W.A., Feb. 1941, G.W.Holmes s.n. in herb. R.A.Black 1270.169(1) (MEL 1548772) ; holo: MEL; iso: BRI.
Illustration: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 102, Fig. B (1952), as Holmesii.
Culms to 40 cm tall; ligule 0.6-0.8 mm long. Leaf lamina 7.5-30 cm long, 4.5 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths glandular on keel; spathe 1.2-2.3 cm long, sometimes glandular on keel. Inflorescence 15-33 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity, sparse; peduncles 3.5-7 mm long; racemes 7-9 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy with hairs 0.5-2.25 mm long. Involucral spikelets 4.5-5 mm long, with lower glume minutely scabrid on keel. Sessile spikelets 4-5 mm long, densely bearded at base; lower glume 3-6 nerved, coriaceous; upper glume lanceolate. Lemma 3-5 mm long; awn 1.2-2.4 cm long with column 1.2-1.4 cm long. Grain 2.5-3 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3.2-5 mm long, with glabrous to ciliate margins; pedicels scabrid. Fig. 12F-G.
Growing in skeletal soil in basalt country, on heavy textured soils and stony creek bed of the northern Kimberley. Flowers Mar.--June. Map 115.
W.A.: Mitchell Plateau, C.R.Dunlop 7864 (BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW, MEL, PERTH); Port Warrender, C.R.Dunlop 5394 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MEL, NSW, PERTH); Carson R., M.Lazarides 4969 (AD, BRI, CANB, NSW, PERTH); N of Mitchell R. Mining Camp, A.S George 14483 (CANB, K, NSW, PERTH); Mitchell Plateau, K.Menkhorst 199 (BRI, DNA, MEL, PERTH).
7. Iseilema convexum C.E.Hubb., Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3286: 8 (1935)
T: Bybera, Qld, cultivated on property of Dr. Hirschfield, Jan. 1934, C.T.White 9741; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Culms to 70 cm tall; ligule to 0.5 mm long. Leaf lamina to 18 cm long, 5.5 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths not glandular on keel; spathe 1-1.6 cm long, sparsely glandular on keel. Inflorescence to 35 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity, lax; peduncles 4-5 mm long; racemes 6.5-8 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to 2-2.5 mm long. Involucral spikelets 4-5 mm long, with lower glume scaberulous, minutely scabrid on keel. Sessile spikelets 5.5-6 mm long, hairy; lower glume 8-9 nerved, coriaceous; upper glume lanceolate. Lemma 2.5-3 mm long; awn 1.6-2 cm long with column to 10 mm long. Grain to 2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-4 mm long, shortly pubescent. Yellow Flinders grass. Fig. 12L.
Growing in cracking clay soils on Barkly Tableland of N.T. and Mitchell grass Downs of Qld. Flowers Mar.--Aug. Map 116.
N.T.: Barkly Tableland, S.T.Blake 17774 (BRI). Qld: Hughenden, S.T.Blake 11548 (BRI); Yan Yean, S.L.Everist 5338 (BRI); Iffley Stn, S.T.Blake 12634 (BRI); Tranby, S.T.Blake 11428 (BRI).
8. Iseilema windersii C.E. Hubb., Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3284: 1 (1935)
T: Bundoran, near Nonda, near Hughenden, Feb. 1931, C.E.Hubbard & C.W.Winders 7286; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Illustration: C.E.Hubbard, loc. cit.
Culms to 40 cm tall; ligule c. 1.5 mm long. Leaf lamina to 16 cm long, 6 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths glandular on keel; spathe 1-2 cm long, glandular on keel. Inflorescence 6-18 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity, fairly dense; peduncles 4-5 mm long; racemes 8-10 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to 2-3 mm long. Involucral spikelets 5-6.5 mm long, with lower glume pubescent, ciliate on keel. Sessile spikelets 7-8 mm long, glabrous at base; lower glume pubescent in upper half, 8-10 nerved, coriaceous; upper glume lanceolate. Lemma 3-4 mm long; awn 1.8-3.3 cm long with column c. 2 mm long. Grain 2.5-3.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 4-5 mm long, with ciliate margins, shortly pubescent; pedicels shortly pubescent. Scented Flinders grass. Fig. 12M.
Growing in cracking clay soils on the Barkly Tableland of N.T. and the Mitchell grass Downs od Qld and a few other localities. Flowers Feb.--Aug. Map 117.
N.T.: 9 km W of Soudan, P.K.Latz 7079 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, NSW); O.T. Downs Stn, S.T.Blake 17690 (BRI, MEL, CANB). Qld: Frensham, S.T.Blake 11495 (BRI, CANB, MEL, NSW); Ooorindi, Oorindi, S.T.Blake 11538 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, L, MEL, NSW, PERTH); 25 mi NW of McKinlay, McKinley, M.Lazarides 4419 (BRI, CANB, NSW).
9. Iseilema trichopus (Benth.) C.E. Hubb, Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3286: 7 (1935)
Anthistiria membranacea Lindl. var. trichopus Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 544 (1878); I. mitchellii Anderss. var. trichopus (Benth.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6:675 (1889); Iseilema membranaceum var. trichopus (Benth.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 281 (1915), as membranacea; T: Hooker's Ck, N.T., F.Mueller s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: ?MEL.
Culms to 25 cm tall; ligule c. 1 mm long. Leaf lamina to 12 cm long, 5.5 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths glandular on keel; spathe 1.2-1.5 cm long, sometimes glandular on keel. Inflorescence to 12 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity; peduncles to 3 mm long; racemes 9-10 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to c. 4.5 mm long. Involucral spikelets 5-6 mm long, with lower glume tuberculately ciliate on keel. Sessile. spikelets to 7 mm long; lower glume shortly tomentose, 8 nerved, membranous; upper glume lanceolate. Lemma to 3 mm long; awn 1.5-1.8 cm long with column to 6 mm long. Grain 3-3.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3-4 mm long, shortly pubescent; pedicels shortly pubescent.
Growing in sandy loam. Rare in the tropical W.A.- N.T. border region. Flowers Mar. Map 118.
W.A.: Ord R., E.C.B.Langfield 66 (PERTH). Kununurra Research Station, P.J. van Rijn 2 (CANB). N.T.: Hookers Ck. F.Mueller s.n. (K); Kidman Springs Research Station, D.Kennedy s.n., Mar. 1977 (CANB, DNA).
10. Iseilema dolichotrichum C.E.Hubb, Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3285: 1 (1935)
T: Duchess, Qld, Feb. 1931, C.E.Hubbard 7347; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Illustration: C.E.Hubbard, loc. cit.
Culms to 8 cm tall; ligule c. 1 mm long. Leaf lamina to 4 cm long, 2.5 mm wide, conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths glandular on keel; spathe 10-12 cm long, glandular on keel. Inflorescence 3-4.5 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity, ± dense; peduncles c. 2 mm long; racemes 7-8 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to to 5 mm long. Involucral spikelets 3-3.6 mm long, with lower glume sparsely asperulous, minutely scabrid on keel. Sessile spikelets 4.5-5 mm long, glabrous at base; lower glume 10 nerved, coriaceous; upper glume lanceolate. Lemma to 3 mm long; awn to 2 cm long with column to 0.8 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2.3-3 mm long, scaberulous; pedicels bearded throughout. Rough-stemmed Flinders grass. Fig. 12P.
Growing in basaltic and stoney soils and red earths in isolated localities in the Eremean zone dry areas of W.A., Native Title. And Qld. Flowers Mar.--Aug. Map 119.
W.A.: 28 km NW of Mt. Newman, A.C.Beauglehole 48971 (BRI, DNA); Mt. Amherst Stn, M.Lazarides 6349 (AD, BRI, CANB, NSW, PERTH). N.T.: Andado Stn P.K.Latz 6843 (CANB, DNA, MEL, PERTH); Simpsons Gap Natl Park, P.K.Latz 4909 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K). Qld: Duchess, S.T.Blake 11519 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW, K, L, MO, NSW, PERTH).
I. dolichotrichum and I. eremaeum appear to grade into each other
11. Iseilema membranaceum (Lindl.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 280 (1915)
Anthistiria membranacea Lindl. in Mitch. J. Exped. Interior Trop. Aust. 88 (1848); Iseilema mitchellii Anderss. in Nova Acta Soc. Sci. Upsal. ser. 3,2: 250 (1856); I. actinostachys Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 282 (1915). T: Narran R., N.S.W., Mitchell 55; holo: CGE. ? Valid name
Illustration: K.Domin, loc. cit. as I. actinostachys; Wheeler, Jacobs & Norton, Grasses of New South Wales (1982), Fig . 32d.
Culms 5-90 cm tall; ligule c. 1 mm long. Leaf lamina 2-20 cm long, 2-5 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths sometimes glandular on keel; spathe 0.8-1.2 cm long, sometimes glandular on keel. Inflorescence to 18 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity, sparse; peduncles 1-3 mm long; racemes 5-7 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to 2 mm long. Involucral spikelets 3-4 mm long, with lower glume scaberulous, densely minutely scabrid on keel. Sessile spikelets 5-6 mm long, glabrous at base; lower glume scaberulous, 8 nerved, coriaceous; upper glume lanceolate. Lemma to 3 mm long; awn to 1.5 cm long. Grain 2-2.2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2-3.5 mm long, scaberulous; pedicels bearded throughout. Small Flinders grass. Fig. 12K.
Growing in clay and stoney soils in all mainland states except Vic. Flowers mainly Dec.--July. Map 120.
W.A.: Blackstone Range, N.N.Donner 4474 (AD, PERTH). N.T.: Avon Downs, G.Chippendale in NT 7259 (BRI, CANB, DNA). S.A.: Between Coober Pedy and Melbourne Hill, A.C.Beauglehole 44387 (AD, BRI, CANB). Qld: Morven, S.T.Blake 10989 (AD, BRI, L, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH, US). N.S.W.: 6 km NW of Bourke, B.K.Simon 2958 (BRI, NSW).
12. Iseilema eremaeum S.T.Blake Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld 49: 83 (1938)
T: Birdsville, July 1936, S.T.Blake 12213; holo: BRI; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, NSW, PERTH, US.
Illustration: S.T.Blake, loc. cit. Pl. III; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 102, Fig. D (1952).
Culms to 20 cm tall; ligule 0.7-0.9 mm long. Leaf lamina to 6 cm long, 4 mm wide, flat or conduplicate; floral leaf sheaths sometimes glandular on keel; spathe 6-10 cm long, glandular on keel. Inflorescence 2-10 cm long, not disarticulating at maturity, ± dense; peduncles 1.5-2 mm long; racemes 7-8 mm long, ± exserted from floral sheaths. Raceme base hairy, with hairs to 3.2 mm long. Involucral spikelets 3-4 mm long, with lower glume glabrous or sparsely asperulous, minutely scabrid on keel. Sessile spikelets 5-5.5 mm long, glabrous at base; lower glume scaberulous, 8 nerved, coriaceous; upper glume lanceolate. Lemma 2.9-3.3 mm long; awn 1.3-1.6 cm long with column 5-6.5 mm long. Grain to 2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2-3 mm long, scaberulous. Bunch Flinders grass. Fig. 12O.
Growing in stony, clay soils. Rare from scattered parts of the Eremean zone. Flowers Jan.--July. Map 121.
W.A.: Wandagee Stn. G.G.Gooch in N.T.Burbidge 291 (BRI, PERTH); Outskirts of Onslow, D.E.Symon 5421 (AD, PERTH). N.T.: Andado Stn, P.K.Latz 6789A (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, NSW). S.A.: Headwaters of creek from Mabel Range, D.E.Symon 9172 (AD, NSW). Qld: Marion Downs, S.T.Blake 12347 (AD, BRI, CANB, K, NSW).
27. THELEPOGON
Thelepogon Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 46 (1817); from the Greek thele (a wart) and pogon (beard), alluding to the rugose surface of the lower glume and the awned spikelets.
Type: T. elegans Roem. & Schult.
Tufted annuals, with prop roots and erect culms. Leaf lamina cordate, narrow, flat; ligule a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, digitate or subdigitate with racemes 1-3, internodes and pedicels slender or thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, pedicelled spikelet reduced to pedicel. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed; callus truncate. Glumes ± equal, very dissimilar; lower glume indurated, lanceolate, not distinctly 2-keeled, convex on back, acuminate, rugose; upper glume coriaceous, lanceolate, boat shaped, acuminate, awnless, smooth, keeled, faintly hairy on margins. Lower floret sometimes reduced to lemma, male; lemma glabrous, membranous. Upper floret bisexual; lemma membranous with a geniculate awn; palea shorter than lemma. Pedicels ± compressed.
A genus of two species, one in the Old World tropics excluding Australia and the other endemic to Australia.
B.K.Simon, Studies in Australian grasses. A new species of Thelepogon (Andropogoneae: Ischaeminae) for Australia, Austrobaileya 4: 105-108 (1993).
Thelepogon australiensis B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 4: 105 (1993)
T: 62 km N of Archer R. on Coen to Weipa road, Cook District, Qld, 19 Apr. 1991, J.R.Clarkson 8981 & V.J.Neldner; holo: BRI; iso: K, MBA, NSW.
Illustration: op. cit. fig. 1 (1993).
Culms to 140 cm tall, erect, branching from some nodes; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 5-12 cm long, 6-10 mm wide, pilose with tubercle-based hairs; ligue c. 1 mm long. Infloresecece digitate with 1-3 pedunculate racemes, which are 2.5-5.5 cm long and 10-13-jointed; peduncles 8-13 mm long, puberulous; internodes longer than pedicels, villous on outside, c. 3.5 mm long, linear and compressed. Sessile spikelet 6-6.5 long, c. 1.5 mm wide, elliptic-lanceolate; lower glume elliptic-acute, finely rugose, indurate, glabrous, acute, 7-nerved, not keeled; upper glume c. 7 mm long, 3-nerved, acute, glabrous, scabrid on keel towards apex, coriaceous; lower lemma c. 4 mm long, membranous; lower palea absent; upper lemma c. 4 mm long, lanceolate, membranous, with awn to 16 mm long arising from base; upper palea c. 2 mm long, a small hyaline scale. Anthers c. 1.2 mm long. Pedicel c. 3 mm long, villous on outside.
Thus far restricted to the type locality on Cape York Peninsula, where it is found in Piliostigma malabaricum low open woodland. Flowers Apr. Map 122.
28. ISCHAEMUM
Ischaemum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 1049 (1753); Gen. Pl. 5th edn, 469 (1754); from the Greek ischo (to restrain) and haima (blood), as woolly seeds of the type species were reported as being used to stop bleeding.
Type: I. muticum L.
Compactly or loosely tufted or decumbent annuals or perennials, geniculate at lower nodes or erect from base. Leaf lamina linear or lanceolate, attenuate; ligule an unfringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, sometimes spatheate; racemes solitary, paired or whorled. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate to oblanceolate, dorsally compressed; callus obtuse and fitting in concave top of internode or truncate. Glumes slightly dissimilar; lower glume coriaceous or chartaceous, 2-keeled, convex or concave on back; upper glume convex on back, keeled. Lower floret male; lemma 2-fid, membranous; palea membranous. Upper floret bisexual; lemma lanceolate, bifid or entire, with a straight glabrous awn or awnless; palea slightly shorter than lemma. Grain oblong or lanceolate. Pedicelled spikelets similar in shape to sessile spikelets, male or sterile, awned or awnless; pedicels free of rachis.
A genus of c. 65 species throughout the tropics with most in Asia; 10 species in Australia of which 1 is endemic.
C.A.Gardner, Ischaemum, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 298-301 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Ischaemum, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 19-21 (1961).
1 Base of internode and pedicel producing a
distinct pore
2 Inflorescence of 6-8 digitate racemes 1. I. polystachyum
2: Inflorescence of 2-3 racemes 2. I. tropicum
1: Base of joint and pedicel without a pore
3 Lower glume of the sessile spikelet
transversely rugose 3. I. rugosum
3 Lower glume of the sessile spikelet
not transversely rugose
4 Decumbent or stoloniferous habit
5 Annual with mature inflorescence to
2 cm long and leaf lamina to
5 mm wide 4. I. decumbens
5: Perennials with mature inflorescence
more than 2 cm long and leaf lamina
more than 6 mm wide
6 Stoloniferous 5. I. muticum
6: Decumbent to ascending without stolons,
although sometimes rooting at the lower
nodes 6. I. triticeum
4: Erect habit
7 Raceme single
8 Sessile spikelets c. 10 mm long, silky hairy 7. I. albovillosum
8: Sessile spikelets 6-7 mm long, glabrous 8. I. fragile
7: Raceme paired
9 Lower glume with transverse
undulations 9. I. barbatum
9: Lower glume smooth 10 I. australe
1. Ischaemum polystachyum J.Presl in C.B.Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1: 328 (1830)
Ischaemum digitatum var. polystachyum (J.S.Presl) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 6: 233 (1889). T: Marianas Is., T.Haenke s.n.; iso (fragment): US (photo BRI).
Ischaemum digitatum Brongn. in L.I. Duperrey, Voy. Monde., Phan. 70 (1831). T: Moluccas
Scrambling perennial with culms to 120 cm tall, simple. Leaves villous; lamina to 14 cm long, to 14 mm wide; ligule to 2 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate; racemes 6-8, to 7 cm long; internodes with ciliate margins, to 5 mm long, with base of internode and pedicel forming a pore. Sessile spikelet 5-5.5 mm long, elliptic; lower glume 12-nerved, narrowly winged at apex; upper glume 5-nerved, acuminate, with awn to 2 mm long ; lower lemma acute; lower palea slightly shorter; upper lemma bifid for 1/10 of length with awn 5 mm long; upper palea linear. Anthers to 1.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet to 5.5 mm long, male; lower glume 12-nerved; upper glume subequal, 7-nerved; lower lemma to 5.5 mm long; lower palea equal; upper lemma to 5.5 mm long, awned; palea to 5.5 mm long. Anthers to 1 mm long; pedicel to 5 mm long.
The only Australian record of this common New Guinea species is from Duan Is. in the Torres Strait. Flowers Feb. Map 123.
Qld: Duan Is., B.Waterhouse 2020A (BRI, DNA, MBA)
2. Ischaemum tropicum B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 3: 88 (1989).
T: NW of Katherine, N.T., 26 Apr. 1947, S.T.Blake 17475; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, NSW).
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit., 89, fig. 4 (1989).
Rhizomatous perennial with culms 80-120 cm tall, simple. Leaves glabrous; lamina 8-20 cm long, 2-4 mm wide; ligule to 2 mm long. Inflorescence digitate; racemes 2-3, 4-6 cm long; internodes with ciliate margins, to 4.5 mm long, with base of internode and pedicel forming a pore. Sessile spikelets 5-5.5 long, liptic; lower glume 10-nerved, narrowly winged at apex; upper glume 4-nerved, acuminate, with awn to 2 mm long; lower lemma to 6 mm long; lower palea slightly shorter; upper lemma c. 5 mm long, bifid for 1/3 of length, with awn 12-16 mm long; upper palea c. 5 mm long. Anthers c. 2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 2-7 mm long, male; lower glume 11-nerved; upper glume subequal, 7-nerved; lower lemma c. 5.5 mm long; lower palea equal; upper lemma c. 5 mm long, awned; upper palea c. to 5.5 mm long. Anthers c. 1 mm long. Fig. 14A-C.
Collected from the Katherine and Robins Falls regions, N.T. and Moa Is., Qld. Extends to New Guinea. Flowers Mar.--Apr. and Aug. Map 124.
N.T.: George Ck near Robins Falls, S of Adelaide R., M.Lazarides 252 & L.Adams (CANB, DNA, K, L); Robins Falls, T.Passlow 270 (BRI). Qld: Moa Peak, Moa Is., S.Budworth 305 (BRI).
3. Ischaemum rugosum Salisb., Icon. Stirp. Rar. 1 (1791)
T: Orissa, India, C.Koenig s.n.; holo: BM (photo BRI,K).
Annual with culms 40-100 cm tall, branched; nodes hairy at base. Leaf lamina 15-30 cm long, 10-15 mm. Inflorescence paired; racemes 4-14 cm long; internodes slightly hairy, 4 mm long. Sessile spikelets 4-6 long, oblong-ovate; lower glume transversely rugose below, indurated below, membranous above, 15-nerved, narrowly winged at apex; upper glume 3-nerved, acute, glabrous, membranous; lower lemma 4-6 mm long, hyaline; lower palea slightly shorter, hyaline; upper lemma c. 5 mm long, linear, bifid for 1/4 of length, with awn 15-20 mm long; upper palea c. 3 mm long, a small hyaline scale. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Grain 2-2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c. 5 mm long, bisexual, developed or reduced to 2 glumes; lower glume 13-15-nerved, glabrous, transversely rugose and indurated; upper glume subequal, acute, 3-nerved, glabrous; lower lemma acute, c. 4 mm long; upper lemma c. 4 mm long; upper palea c. 3 mm long.
Growing in wet sites in northern N.T. and central and northern coastal Qld. Extends to most of tropical Asia and introduced to tropical Africa and America.
There are 2 varieties.
Pedicelled spikelets developed 3a. var. rugosum
Pedicelled spikelets reduced to 2 glumes 3b. var. segetum
3a. Ischaemum rugosum Salisb. var. rugosum
Illustrations: H.B.Gilliland, A revised Fl.Malaya 3, Grasses of Malaya Colour pl. 19 (1971); T.A.Cope in E. Nasir & S.I. Ali, Fl. Pakistan 143, Poaceae fig. 35,4 (1982); M.Soerjani, A.J.G.H.Kostermans & G.Tjitrosoepomo, Weeds Rice Indonesia fig. 4.204 (1987).
Pedicelled spikelets developed
Occurs in coastal N.T. and central and northern coastal Qld. Extends to tropical Asia. Flowers Mar.--June. Map 125.
N.T.: Adelaide R. floodplain 7 km W of Adelaide R. on Arnhem Hwy, B.K.Simon 3630 & M.H.Andrew (BRI, DNA); Kapalga, R.Collins BC 426 (CANB, DNA). Qld: 21 km from Mareeba on Mt. Molloy road, B.Hyland 8816 (BRI, QRS); Thursday Is., J.R.Clarkson 6442 (BRI, MBA, NSW, QRS); Habana, near Mackay, P.W.Zammit (BRI).
3b. Ischaemum rugosum var. segetum (Trin.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 6: 208 (1889)
Ischaemum segetum Trin., Mém. Acad. Sci. Imp. St.-Petersbourg Sér. 6, Sci. Math. 2: 294 (1832). T: Manilla, Philippines, collector unknown; holo: LE, n.v. , fide
Pedicelled spikelets reduced to 2 glumes
Illustrations: C.-C.Hsu, Taiwan Grasses pl.254 (1975); T.A.Cope in E. Nasir, & , S. I. Ali, Fl. Pakistan 143, Poaceae fig. 35,5 (1982), as I. rugosum.
Occurs mainly in northern coastal Qld and the Torres Strait; one record from N.T. Extends to India and Taiwan. Flowers May--Aug. Map 126.
N.T.: 7 miles N of Pine Creek, M.Lazarides & L.Adams 140 (CANB, DNA, K, L). Qld: Hammond Is., H.Heatwole 145 & E.Cameron (BRI); Cooktown, S.T.Blake 15042 (BRI); Mt. Molloy, June 1950, G.R.Walsh s.n. (BRI); Yuruga Holding, K.J.Thomes 2 (BRI, MEL); between Stuart and Alligator Creek Meatworks, L.S.Smith T 8 (BRI).
4. Ischaemum decumbens Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 521 (1878)
T: Darwin, N.T., M.Schultz 126 in R.Schomburgk; holo: MEL; iso: K (photo BRI).
Annual with culms 8-40 cm tall, branched; nodes usually bearded. Leaf lamina 1-5 cm long, 1-6 mm wide; ligule 0.5 mm long. Inflorescence paired; racemes 2-3.5 cm long; internodes with ciliate margins, 2-2.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets to 5 long, ovate-acuminate; lower glume coriaceous, glabrous, 11-nerved, 0-keeled, without wings at apex; upper glume 5-nerved, 4 mm long, with awn to 4 mm long and winged on keel at apex, glabrous or slightly hairy, thickly membranous; lower lemma 3 mm long, acute, glabrous or hyaline; lower palea equal; upper lemma c. 3 mm long, linear, bifid for 1/4 of length, membranous, with awn 12 mm long; upper palea a small hyaline scale, c. 3 mm long. Anthers c. 1 mm long. Grain c. 1 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c. 2 mm long, neuter, reduced to 1 glume. Fig. 14H-I.
Grows in damp to wet areas of sandy soil in Melaleuca savanna woodland in northern N.T. and Qld. Flowers Apr.--Oct. Map 127.
N.T.: Maria Is., C.R.Dunlop 2843 (BRI, CANB, DNA, NY); near Baroalba Ck, Kakadu Natl Park, M.Lazarides 8783 (AD, BRI, CANB, MEL); Kapalga, G.Wightman 17 (BRI, DNA, MEL). Qld: 3.5 km from Oroners on track to New Dickie, J.R.Clarkson 3765 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, US); 5-6 miles NW of Hann R. crossing, Laura-Coen road, L.S.Smith 12038 (BRI).
5. Ischaemum muticum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 1049 (1753)
Andropogon muticus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 374 (1854). T: India; holo: LINN 1214.1 in LINN.
Illustrations: S.D.J.E.Senaratna, Grasses Ceylon, pl. 42 (1956); C.-C.Hsu, Taiwan Grasses t. 253 (1975).
Perennial with culms 15-40 cm tall, stoloniferous, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 2-15 cm long, 4-14 mm wide; ligule 1 mm long. Inflorescence paired; racemes 1.5-7 cm long; internodes with ciliate margins (cilia very short), 4-5 mm long, triangular. Sessile spikelets 6-10 long, broadly elliptic; lower glume firmly cartilaginous, 7-nerved, with narrow to broad wings at apex; upper glume 3-nerved, 6-10 mm long, acuminate, with winged keel at apex, glabrous, coriaceous; lower lemma 5.5-8 mm long, acute, hyaline; lower palea equal; upper lemma 5-6 mm long, elliptic, membranous, with awn 1-8 mm long; upper palea c. 7 mm long, lanceolate. Pedicelled spikelets 6-8 mm long, male, broadly elliptic; lower glume 7-nerved, glabrous; upper glume subequal, acuminate, glabrous; lower lemma acute, 5-7 mm long; lower palea equal; upper lemma 5-6 mm long, awned or not awned; upper palea 5-7 mm long. Anthers 3-4 mm long.
Littoral areas of northern Qld, extending to coasts of tropical Asia. Flowers Feb.--Nov. Map 128.
Qld: Saibai Is., E.W.Bick 48 (BRI); 2.5 km N of month of McIvor R., J.R.Clarkson 5203 (BRI, MBA, NSW, QRS); Cowley Beach, T.J.McDonald 1673 & G.N.Batianoff (BRI); Mission Beach, S.T.Blake 15288 (BRI). Dunk Is., S.T.Blake 18867 (BRI, CANB).
6. Ischaemum triticeum R.Br., Prodr. 205 (1810)
Andropogon triticiformis Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 376 (1854). T: Shoalwater Bay, Qld, 22 Oct. 1802, R.Brown [6153]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI).
Illustration: F.Turner, Agric. Gaz. New South Wales 16: 185 (1905).
Annual or weak perennial with culms 50-100 cm tall, simple; nodes usually bearded. Leaf lamina 6-33 cm long, 3-7 mm wide; ligule 1-3.5 mm long. Inflorescence single or paired; racemes 4-6 cm long; internodes with ciliate margin and mid-line, 3.5-4 mm long, swollen and rigid outside, membranous inside. Sessile spikelets 6-7 long, oblong-ovate; lower glume firmly cartilaginous, 5-7-nerved, narrowly winged at apex; upper glume 5-7-nerved, 6-7 mm long, with awn to 4 mm long and winged on keel at apex, glabrous, thinly coriaceous; lower lemma 4-5 mm long, firmly hyaline; lower palea equal; upper lemma 3-4 mm long, elliptic, membranous, bifid with linear lobes, bifid for ½ of length, with awn 10-18 mm long; upper palea c. 4 mm long, narrowly ovate. Anthers 1-2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3.5-6 mm long, male or neuter, elliptic; lower glume 6-8-nerved, glabrous; upper glume subequal, acuminate, shortly awned, 3-5-nerved, glabrous; lower lemma , c. 4 mm long, acute; lower palea equal; upper lemma 3.5 mm long, awned with awn to 4 mm long; upper palea c. 4 mm long. Fig. 14D.
Occurs on sandy foredunes of northern N.S.W. and southern Qld. and one specimen from Lizard Is. Flowers July--May. Map 129.
Qld: Mangrove Beach, Lizard Is., G.N.Batianoff 10132 (BRI); near Cape Moreton, Moreton Is., S.T.Blake 13038 (BRI, CANB, K, NSW, PERTH, US); between Nudgee and Sandgate, C.E.Hubbard 5399 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW). N.S.W.: Fingal, S.T.Blake 18484 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, NSW, PRE, US); Little Bay, Arakoon, R.Coveny 4229 & J.Armstrong (BRI, CANB, MEL, NSW).
7. Ischaemum albovillosum B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 3: 86 (1989)
T: Between Dampier and Mt Tom Price, W.A., Oct. 1968, J.G.Campion s.n.; holo: PERTH (photo BRI).
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit., fig. 3 (1989).
Perennial with culms 40 cm tall, simple; nodes usually bearded. Leaf lamina 5-12 cm long, 2-5 mm wide; ligule 1 mm long (imperceptibly hair-fringed). Inflorescence single; racemes 6-8 cm long; internodes with ciliate margins, 5 mm long. Sessile spikelets c. 10 long, elliptic; lower glume coriaceous, 9-nerved, without wings at apex; upper glume c. 9 mm long, 5-nerved, acuminate, hairy inside and on keel outside, coriaceous; lower lemma hyaline; lower palea absent; upper lemma c. 5 mm long, stipitiform, membranous, with awn to 30 mm long; upper palea absent. Anthers c. 1 mm long. Grain 2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c. 10 mm long, elliptic; lower glume 15-17-nerved, hirsute with long tubercle-based hairs especially on keels and subapical arch, coriaceous; upper glume 2/3 as long; upper glume acute, 11-nerved, glabrous; lower lemma 6 mm long; upper lemma 5 mm long.
Collected only once in the Pilbara region of W.A. Map 130.
8. Ischaemum fragile R.Br., Prodr. 205 (1810)
Digastrium fragile (R.Br.) A.Camus, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 70: 850 (1923). T: Endeavour R., 1770, J.Banks & D.Solander s.n.; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); fragment K (photo BRI).
Ischaemum baileyi C.E.Hubb., Icon. Pl. 33: t. 3263: 2 (1935); Digastrium baileyi (C.E.Hubb.) Pilg. in H.G.A.Engler et al., Pflanzenfam. 2nd ed., 14e: 128 (1940). T: Somerset, Qld, June 1897, F.M.Bailey 73; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Illustration: C.E.Hubbard in op. cit. 33: t. 3263 (1935).
Annual or weak perennial. Culms 50-100 cm tall, simple; nodes usually bearded. Leaf lamina 6-33 cm long, 3-7 mm wide; ligule 1-3.5 mm long. Inflorescence single or rarely paired; racemes 4-6 cm long; internodes with ciliate margin and mid-line, 3.5-4 mm long, swollen and rigid outside, membranous inside. Sessile spikelets 6-7 long, oblong-ovate; lower glume firmly cartilaginous, 5-7-nerved, narrowly winged at apex; upper glume 5-7-nerved, 6-7 mm long, with awn to 4 mm long and winged on keel at apex, glabrous, thinly coriaceous; lower lemma 4-5 mm long, firmly hyaline; lower palea equal; upper lemma 3-4 mm long, elliptic, membranous, bifid with linear lobes, bifid for ½ of length, with awn 10-18 mm long; upper palea c. 4 mm long, narrowly ovate. Anthers 1-2.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 3.5-6 mm long, male or neuter, elliptic; lower glume 6-8-nerved, glabrous; upper glume subequal, acuminate, shortly awned, 3-5-nerved, glabrous; lower lemma acute, 4 mm long; lower palea equal; upper lemma c. 3.5 mm long with awn to 4 mm long; upper palea c. 4 mm long.
In savannas and open grasslands with seasonal rainfall. Occurs throughout coastal Qld and extends to New Guinea. Flowers Apr.--Dec. and Feb. Map 131.
N.T.: S. Caledon Bay, P.A.Latz 2916 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Cooktown, S.T.Blake 21806A (AD, BRI, CANB, K, L, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH, QRS); N of Cardwell between Bilyana and Murrigal, S.T.Blake 22076 (BRI, CANB, K, L, MO); Littabella Ck, 12 km N of Yandora, P.R.Sharpe 2275 & R.Dowling (BRI); Coolum, S.T.Blake 19200 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, MO, NOU, NSW, PERTH, PRE, SP, SRGH).
In wet grasslands of Cape York and Arnhem Peninsulars and adjacent islands. Flowers Apr.--Sept.
9. Ischaemum barbatum Retz., Observ. Bot. 6: 35 (1791)
T: Java, J.G.Koenig, s.n.; holo: LD (fragment & photo BRI).
Illustration: C.-C.Hsu, Fl. Taiwan 5: pl. 1471 (1978).
Perennial with culms 60-160 cm tall, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 7-20 cm long, 4-8 mm wide; ligule 2-3 mm long. Inflorescence single or paired; racemes 6-9 cm long; internodes with ciliate margins, 4-5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 6-8 long, elliptic; lower glume transversely rugose below, indurated below, membranous above, 13-15-nerved (indistinct), with wings at apex. Wings narrow; upper glume 3-nerved, 5-7 mm long, acute, glabrous, coriaceous; lower lemma 4-6 mm long, acute, hyaline; lower palea equal; upper lemma 4-5 mm long, linear, bifid for 1/4 of length, membranous, bifid with linear lobes, with awn 9-10 mm long; upper palea 4-5 mm long, linear. Grain c. 1 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c. 4 mm long, reduced to 2 glumes; lower glume 9-10-nerved, glabrous; upper glume a little shorter, acute, 3-nerved, glabrous. Fig. 14E-F.
A few collections from northern N.T. Flowers Apr. Map 132.
N.T.: Melville Is., N.T., C.Dunlop 3449 (BRI, CANB, DNA); vicinity of Woolaning homestead, L.A.Craven & C.Dunlop 6656 (CANB, MEL); near Mt. Greenwood, S.T.Blake 16573 (BRI, CANB).
10. Ischaemum australe R.Br., Prodr. 205 (1810)
Meoschium australe (R.Br.) P.Beauv. ex Roemer & Schult., Syst. 2: 790 (1817); Andropogon cryptatherus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 376 (1854); T: Sydney, [Port Jackson], N.S.W., 23 Oct. 1802, R.Brown [6152]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI).
Perennial with culms 50-120 cm tall, rhizomatous, branched; nodes glabrous or bearded. Leaf lamina 10-15 cm long, 3-5 mm. Leaves hairy or glabrous; ligule 2 mm long (ciliolate at apex). Inflorescence single or paired; racemes 3-10 cm long; internodes with ciliate margins, 3-6 mm long, swollen and rigid outside, membranous inside. Sessile spikelets 6-7 long, elliptic; lower 7-9-nerved, with wings at apex. Wings narrow; upper glume 7-nerved, 6-7 mm long, acuminate, glabrous, coriaceous; lower lemma 5-6 mm long, acute, firmly hyaline; lower palea equal; upper lemma 4-5 mm long, elliptic, bifid with linear lobes, bifid for ½ of length, with awn 9 mm long; upper palea linear, 4 mm long. Grain 1.8 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 6-7 mm long, male or neuter, elliptic; lower glume 7-9-nerved, glabrous; upper glume subequal, acute, 3-5-nerved, glabrous; lower lemma acute, 5-6 mm long; lower palea equal; upper lemma c. 5 mm long, with awn to 2 mm long; upper palea c. 5 mm long. Anthers c. 3 mm long.
Coastal districts from N N.S.W. through to the eastern Kimberley, W.A., usually in wet situations. There are 3 varieties.
1 Nodes glabrous 10a. var. arundinaceum
1: Nodes hairy
2 Leaves, rachis internodes and
pedicels hairy 10b. var. villosum
2: Leaves, rachis internodes and
pedicels glabrous 10c. var. australe
10a. Ischaemum australe var. arundinaceum (F.Muell. ex Benth.) B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 2: 21 (1984)
Ischaemum arundinaceum F.Muell. ex Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 519 (1878); Ischaemum barbatum var. arundinaceum (F.Muell. ex Benth.) Jansen, Reinwardtia 2: 295 (1953). T: Port Darwin, N.T., lecto: R.Schomburgk 30 (MEL); isolecto: K (photo BRI), fide Roberty, Boissiera 9: 332 (1960).
Nodes glabrous
Coastal regions of northern Qld, N.T. and northern W.A. in wet situations. Flowers Jan.--Mar. and Aug.--Sept. Map 133.
W.A.: Airfield swamp, Mitchell Plateau, K.F.Kenneally 7030 (CANB, PERTH). N.T. Delissaville, Cox's Peninsular, R.L.Specht 66 (BRI, CANB); Stuart Hwy, 43 miles S of Katherine, N.H.Speck 1645 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, MEL, NSW). Qld: near Mareeba, S.T.Blake 13375 (BRI); 7.5 km N of Innisfail, M.Lazarides 8138 (BRI, CANB); between Ingham and Toobanna, C.E.Hubbard 6900 (BRI, CANB, K, MEL, NSW).
10b. Ischaemum australe var. villosum (R.Br.) Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 520 (1878)
Ischaemum villosum R.Br., Prodr. 205 (1810); Andropogon cryptatherus Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 376 (1854). T: West Is., Gulf of Carpentaria, N.T., 3 Mar. 1803, R.Brown [6154]; lecto, here chosen: BM (photo BRI, K).
Ischaemum australe var. semivestitum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 259 (1915). T: Logan R., Mar. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI, fragment NSW); iso: K (photo BRI).
Leaves, rachis internodes and pedicels hairy
Coastal regions of northern N.S.W., Qld and N.T. in wet situations. Flowers Aug.-July. Map 134.
N.T.: 14 miles N of McArthur River Stn, R.Perry 1747 (BRI, CANB). Qld: St. Pauls, Moa Is., D.R.Harris 38 (BRI); Little Crystal Creek Natl Park near Mt. Spec, B.K.Simon 2618 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); Rocky Dam Ck, E.R.Anderson 381 (BRI). N.S.W.: 17 km W of Grafton on Gwydir Hwy, N.Lloyd 274 (NSW).
10c. Ischaemum australe R.Br. var. australe
Illustrations: F.Turner, Agric. Gaz. New South Wales 16: 545 (1905); R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley Region W. Australia t. 66 (1983); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 282 (1983).
Leaves, rachis internodes and pedicels glabrous
Fig. 14G.
Coastal districts from central N.S.W. through to the eastern Kimberley, W.A., in wet situations. Flowers Nov.--July. Map 135.
W.A.: Granite Ck, 12 km from Duncan Hwy on L. Argyle road, B.K.Simon 3707 & R.J.Petheram (BRI, CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Adelaide R. floodplain, 7 km W of Adelaide R. on Arnhem Hwy, B.K.Simon 3632 & M.H.Andrew (BRI, DNA); Old Highlands Plains Homestead, P.A.Latz 1651 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: Cromarty, S.T.Blake 8302 (BRI, CANB, K, NSW). N.S.W.: L. Arragan, Angourie, D.F.Blaxell 114 (NSW).
29. SEHIMA
Sehima Forssk., Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. 178 (1775); from the vernacular name of the type, fide J.Baines, Australian Plant Genera (1985). Named after the Arab sign Saehim, fide S.D.J.E.Senaratna, The Grasses of Ceylon (1956).
Type: S. ischaemoides Forssk.
Compactly tufted perennials, erect from base. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a fringe of hairs, short. Inflorescence terminal; racemes solitary with internodes with hollows into which spikelets are placed and internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed; callus obtuse and fitting in the concave top of internode. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume coriaceous, 2-keeled, convex or concave on back, notched; upper glume lanceolate, boat shaped, awned, keeled. Lower floret male; lemma hyaline, lanceolate; palea membranous. Upper floret bisexual; lemma lanceolate, membranous, bifid, with a geniculate hairy awn. Pedicelled spikelets slightly larger than sessile spikelet but similar. Glumes not awned. Both florets male and with hyaline, lanceolate lemmas and paleas.
A genus of 5 species found in the Old World tropics; the one species in Australia is of poor forage value.
C.A.Gardner, Sehima, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 301 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Sehima, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 21-22 (1961).
Sehima nervosum (Rottler) Stapf, Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 36 (1917)
Andropogon nervosum Rottler in C.L. von Willdenow, Verh. Naturf. Fr. Berlin 4: 218 (1803); Hologamium nervosum (Rottler) Nees, Edinbugrh New Philos. J. 18: 185 (1835); Ischaemum nervosum (Rottler) C.A.Gardner, Enum. Pl. Austr. Occ. 5 (1931). T: Madras, India, Nov. 1895, J.P.Rottler s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI).
Andropogon striatus Klein ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 903 (1805); Pollinia striata (Klein ex Willd.) Spreng., Pl. Min. Cogn. Pug. 2: 12 (1815); Ischaemum striatum (Klein ex Willd.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20: 260 (1915); Andropogon brownii Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1: 163 (1829). T: "Malabaria"; holo: Willd 18633 in B, n.v. (BRI, microfiche).
Ischaemum laxum R.Br., Prodr. 205 (1810). T: "Carpentaria Island a" [Sweer's Island], Qld, R.Brown [6155]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI), NSW.
Ischaemum macrostachyum A.Rich., Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 472 (1851); Andropogon macrostachyus (A.Rich.) Schweinf., Beitr. Fl. Aeth.: 306 (1867). T: Tacaze R., Ethiopia, K.Schimper 1705; holo: B, n.v.; iso: K (photo BRI).
Ischaemum striatum var. stenophyllum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20: 260 (1915). T: Cloncurry, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (fragment NSW, photo BRI); iso:K (photo BRI).
Ischaemum striatum var. piligerum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20: 260 (1915). T: Mareeba, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR, n.v.
Illustrations: F.Turner in Australian Grasses 1: 32 (1895) as Ischaemum laxum; W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae fig. 176 (1982); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 372 (1983).
Culms 60-100 cm tall, simple with nodes conspicuously bearded or glabrous. Leaf lamina 15-30 cm long, 2-3 mm wide; ligule 1-2 mm long. Inflorescence single with racemes 12-20-jointed, 7-12 cm long; internodes and pedicels the same length, with ciliate margins, 3.5-4 mm long. Sessile spikelets 8-9 long, elliptic; lower glume firmly cartilaginous, glabrous, 6-nerved, 2-keeled, without wings at apex; upper glume 3-nerved, c. 6 mm long, with an awn to 9 mm long and winged on keel at apex, scabrous on lateral nerves, membranous; lower lemma c. 6 mm long, hyaline; lower palea slightly shorter, hyaline. Upper lemma c. 5 mm long, hyaline, bifid with linear lobes, with awn 20-23 mm long; upper palea 5 mm long. Anthers c. 3 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets c. 7 mm long, elliptic; lower glume 7-nerved, long ciliate on margins; upper glume subequal, acute, 3-nerved; lower lemma acute, c. 6 mm long; upper lemma c. 5 mm long; palea c. 5 mm long. Rat's-tail Grass. Fig. 15A-B.
Common in savanna country througout subtropical and tropical Australia in Qld, northern N.S.W., N.T. and W.A. Extends through New Guinea and SE Asia to India and tropical Africa. Poor quality fodder. Flowers all year. Map 136.
W.A.: Mabel Downs, Winnama Spring, S.J.Forbes 2012 (BRI, MEL, PERTH). N.T.: Darwin, S.T.Blake 17320 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MO, PERTH, PRE, SP); Qld: Springmount Stn, J.R.Clarkson 4655 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); Boomerang Stn, B.K.Simon 2711, J.R.Clarkson & I.B.Staples (BRI, CANB, K, NSW). N.S.W.: Freestone, Coolatai, Dec 1950, A.Johnson s.n. (NSW).
30. APLUDA
Apluda L., Sp. Pl. 1: 82 (1753) & Gen. Pl.. 5:35 (1754), from the Latin apluda (chaff), alluding to the chaff-like groups of spikelets.
Type: A. mutica L.
Decumbent perennials, geniculate at lower nodes. Leaf lamina linear-lanceolate, attenuate, falsely petiolate at base; ligule an unfringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, spatheate, a complex of partial inflorescences and leaves; internodes and pedicels slender. Spikelets reduced to 1 sessile and 2 pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets broadly lanceolate, ± laterally compressed, awned or awnless. Glumes ± equal, as long as spikelet, very dissimilar; lower glume coriaceous, clasping margins of upper glume, convex on back, obtuse, smooth, awnless, glabrous; upper glume rigidly herbaceous, boat shaped, obtuse, awnless, lacunose, keeled, glabrous, 5 nerved. Lower floret male; lemma shorter than spikelet, glabrous, hyaline, linear. Upper floret bisexual; lemma shorter than spikelet, linear, hyaline, entire, awned. Pedicelled spikelets bisexual, male or neuter, similar in shape to sessile spikelets or suppressed, broadly lanceolate, awnless; pedicels flattened, free of rachis, compressed.
A monospecific genus from tropical Asia to the Torres Strait.
Apluda mutica L., Sp. Pl. 1: 82 (1753)
T: India; holo: LINN 1213.1 in LINN.
Illustrations: H.B.Gilliland, Grasses of Malaya, fig. 58 (1971); C.-C.Hsu, Taiwan Grasses, pl. 212 (1975); C.-C.Hsu, Fl. Taiwan, pl. 1453 (1978).
Culms 100-200 cm tall, branched; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 3-15 cm long, 1.5-4 mm wide; ligule 1-1.3 mm long, glabrous. Inflorescence a panicle of 1-jointed racemes, 0.6-0.8 cm long; pedicels glabrous, c. 2 mm long, flat and broad, 5-nerved. Sessile spikelets c. 4 mm long, to 1.5 mm wide; lower glume narrowly ovate, coriaceous, glabrous, 11-13-nerved, 2-keeled; upper glume 7-nerved, glabrous, coriaceous; lower lemma hyaline; lower palea equal, hyaline; upper lemma linear, deeply notched, hyaline; upper palea a small hyaline scale. Anthers c. 1 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet, when developed, 3-4 mm long, male; lower glume 11-13-nerved, glabrous, coriaceous; upper glume subequal, acute, 13-15-nerved, glabrous; lower palea equal; upper lemma not awned. Second pedicelled spikelet reduced to a fragmentary lower glume. Fig. 15G-K.
From India through SE Asia to the Torres Strait, where one collection is known from Pandanus woodland of Saibai Is.. Flowers July. Map 137.
Qld: Saibai, G.Stocker 1361 (BRI); "East Australia", L.Leichhardt s.n. (MEL, NSW).
31. COIX
Coix L., Sp. Pl.: 1:972 (1753), Gen. Pl. 5:419 (1754); from the Greek Koix, name of a palm (Hyphaena coriacea Gartn.) in the works of Theophrastus as the false "fruits" resemble the fruits of this palm.
Type: C. lacryma-jobi L.
Robust annuals or perennials. Leaf lamina flat, linear-lanceolate, cordate at base; ligule short and membranous. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, consisting of two racemes, one female, enclosed by a globose-ovoid bony, shining utricle, the others male, arising from the mouth of the utricle or alongside the utricle. Female raceme of 1 sessile spikelet, consisting of orbicular membranous glumes and lower lemma and membranous upper lemma and palea with the stigmas protruding from the utricle, and 2 barren pedicels. Male raceme with spikelets borne in pairs or threes, one pedicelled, the other(s) sessile; spikelet with a 2-keeled lower glume flat on the back, the keels winged above, a boat-shaped upper glume, membranous lemmas and paleas, the lower floret as long as the spikelet, fertile, the upper shorter and sometimes sterile.
A genus of c. 6 species native to tropical Asia and Polynesia with 1 species introduced throughout the tropics and sometimes naturalised.
H.Jacques-Felix, Coix in Les Graminees d'Afrique tropicale 316-31 (1962); B.K.Simon, A new species of Coix L. (Poaceae) from Australia. Austrobaileya 3:1-5 (1989).
1. Rhizomatous perennial; utricle continued apically
into small leaf blade 1. C. gasteenii
Tufted annuals or biennuals; utricle not continued
apically into small leaf blade
2. Male raceme to 1.5 cm long; lower glume of male
spikelet narrowly winged; leaf bades to 1.5 cm wide 2. C. lacryma-jobi
Male raceme to 3 cm long; lower glume of male
spikelet broadly winged; leaf lamina to 4.5 cm wide 3. C. gigantea
1. Coix gasteenii B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 3:1 (1989)
T: 19 km E of Old Laura on road to Cooktown, 13 May 1987, J.R.Clarkson 7215 & B.K.Simon; holo: BRI; iso: BRI, DNA, K, L, MBA, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH, PRE, QRS, SP, US).
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit., figs 1-3 (1989).
Rhizomatous perennial with culms 1-1.8 m tall. Leaf lamina 9-150 cm long, 10-23 mm wide, with distinct tubercles. Ligule c. 0.3 mm long. Utricules (female involucres) 2-3 per inflorescence, continued apically into small leaf lamina, 5-7 cm long, 4-5 mm. Glumes ± equal; lower glume 7-9 mm long; upper glume 8-10 mm long. Lower lemma 8-9 mm long; lower palea 6-7 mm long; upper lemma 7-8 mm long, upper palea 7-8 mm long. Grain 4-5 long, 3-4 mm. Male racemes 1.4-1.8 cm long, 3-5-jointed. Glumes ± equal, 6-7 mm long; lower 9-nerved, upper 9-11-nerved; lower lemma 6-7 mm long; lower palea 5-6 mm long; upper lemma and palea ± equal, 5-6 mm long. Fig. 19F-H.
Known from only two collections from Lakefield National Park, Cape York Peninsula. This species differs considerably from C.lacryma-jobi in the method in which the male and female racemes are arranged. Flowers May. Map 138.
Qld: East from Cabbage Tree Ck, Lakefield, J.Gasteen 50 (BRI).
2. Coix lacryma-jobi L., Sp. Pl. 1: 972 (1753)
T: Indies [Indonesia]; holo: LINN 1098.1 in LINN, n.v. (BRI, microfiche).
Illustrations: A.S.Hitchcock, Manual of the grasses of the United States, 2nd edn, rev. A.Chase, fig. 1194 (1950); H.B.Gilliland, Grasses of Malaya, fig. 66 (1971); W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae fig. 205 (1982).
Robust annual with culms 1-3 m tall. Leaf lamina 10-45 long, 10-20 mm., minutely tuberculate. Utricles (female involucres) 1-3 per inflorescence, not continued apically to small leaf blade, 7-10 long, 5-9 mm wide, white to bluish. Glumes ± equal; lower glume c. 9 mm long, upper glume c. 8.8 mm long. Lower lemma c. 8 mm long; lower palea absent; upper lemma c. 7.6 mm long; upper palea c. 5.4 mm long. Grain 5-6 long, 4-5 mm. Male racemes 1-1.5 cm long, 3-5-jointed. Glumes ± equal; 8-9 mm long, 11-nerved. Lower lemma 7-8 mm long; lower palea 7-8 mm long; upper lemma and palea ± equal, 6.5-7.5 mm long. Job's Tears.
Native from India to Polynesia including some Torres Strait Is.; introduced to mainland Australia as an ornamental and has the potential to become naturalised. Map 139.
Qld: Boigu Is., 21 Sept. 1971, M.Lawrie s.n. (BRI).
3. Coix gigantea Koenig ex Roxb., Hort. Beng. 66 (1814) nomen, Fl.Ind. ed.2, 3: 57 (1832) descr.
T: India, ? at Kew
Very robust annual with culms to 4 m tall. Leaf lamina 15-40 cm long long, 15-30 mm wide, minutely tuberculate. Ligule c. 0.5 mm long. Utricles (female involucres) 1-2 per inflorescence, not continued apically into small leaf blade, 8-12 mm long, 6-8 mm. Glumes ± equal; lower glume 9-10 mm long, upper glume 10-12 mm long. Lower lemma and palea ± equal, c. 10 mm long. Upper lemma and palea ± equal, ± 9 mm long. Male racemes 2-4 cm long; 5-7 jointed. Glumes ± equal, c. 9 long, 5 mm wide, 9-11-nerved. Lower lemma c. 9 mm long; lower palea c. 8 mm long; upper lemma and palea ± equal, 6-7 mm long.
Throughout tropical and SE Asia to Cape York Peninsula. Map 140.
Qld: Weipa, Trunding Ck bank, M.Cannon 118 (BRI).
32. DIMERIA
Dimeria R.Br., Prodr. 204 (1810); from the Latin dimerous (of two parts), alluding to the two spikes.
Type: D. acinaciformis R.Br.
Compactly or loosely tufted annuals or perennials, sometimes geniculate at lower nodes. Leaf lamina linear; ligule an unfringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal digitate or subdigitate, spatheate; racemes solitary or paired, spike-like. Spikelets solitary, on short pedicels. Spikelets laterally compressed, secund on rachis. Glumes similar, conduplicate-keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma bidentate or bilobed with a geniculate glabrous awn or awnless; palea absent. Grain linear, laterally compressed.
A genus of 35-40 species from Madagascar and Japan to Australia with the majority of species in India; 3 species in Australia.
F.M.Bailey, Queensland Fl. 6: 1850-1851 (1902); C.A.Gardner, Dimeria, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 297-298 (1952); N.Bor in Kew Bull. 7: 553-592 (1953)
1 Perennial 1. D. chloridiformis
1: Annuals
2 Spikelets c. 5 mm long 2. D. acinaciformis
2: Spikelets c. 2.5 mm long 3. D. ornithopoda
1. Dimeria chloridiformis (Gaudich.) Schumann & Lauterb., Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Sudsee 165 (1901)
Andropogon chloridiformis Gaudich. in Freyc., Voy. Uran. Bot. 412 (1826). T: Guam, M.C.Gaudichaud s.n.; holo: P (photo BRI).
Dimeria ciliata Merr., Philipp. J. Science 9: 262 (1914). T: Palawan, Philippines, 28 May 1913, E.D.Merrill 9320; holo: PNH, n.v.; iso: K (photo BRI).
Perennial with culms 50-100 cm tall, caespitose, simple; nodes hairy. Leaf lamina 8-25 cm long, 2-6 mm wide; ligule 0.6-0.8 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate with axis 2-10 mm long and 3-4 racemes, 7-13 cm long; internodes 2-3 mm long, with scabrous-ciliate margins. Spikelet c. 5 long, 1 mm wide, linear-elliptic to lanceolate; lower glume narrowly linear-lanceolate, membranous on each side of mid-vein, smooth, ciliate on keel, with dehiscence zone at base, 1-nerved, 1-keeled; upper glume 1-nerved, membranous on each side of mid-vein, lanceolate-acute, smooth, ciliate on keel and margins; lower lemma c. 2 mm long, membranous, linear, ciliate on margins and apex; upper lemma c. 3 mm long, bifid to bilobed, 1-nerved, with awn 10 mm long. Fig. 15E-F.
Growing in wet areas in a few localities in northern N.T. and northern Qld. Extends through New Guinea to SE Asia and Pacific Ocean islands. Flowers Nov.--Apr. Map 141.
N.T.: Townsends Homestead, Oct 1972, D.A.Hearne s.n. (DNA). Qld: Weipa, A.Morton 1689 (BRI); Daintree R., L.J.Brass 2320 (BRI); Sugarcane Ck, L.J.Webb & J.G.Tracey 8139 (BRI, CANB); Bilyana near Cardwell, S.T.Blake 15794 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB, K, L, MO, NSW)
2. Dimeria acinaciformis R.Br., Prodr. 204 (1810)
T: Endeavour R., Qld, 1770, J.Banks & D.Solander s.n.; holo: BM (photo BRI; photo & fragment K); iso: BRI, NSW.
Annual with culms 10-40 cm tall, caespitose, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 1-4 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, narrowly lanceolate; ligule 0.5-0.8 mm long. Inflorescence digitate; with 2 racemes 2.5-5 cm long; internodes 2-3 mm long, with scabrous margins. Spikelet 4.5-5.5 long, c. 1 mm wide, linear-elliptic to lanceolate; lower glume linear-lanceolate, thick and leathery on each side of mid-vein, scabrous-ciliate, glabrous, with dehiscence zone at base, 1-nerved, 1-keeled; upper glume 1-nerved, membranous on each side of mid-vein, lanceolate-acute, spinulose-scabrous on keel at apex; lower lemma 2-3 mm long, membranous, linear, ciliate at apex; upper lemma bifid to bilobed, 3-3.5 mm long, 1-nerved, with awn 10-11 mm long. Fig. 15C-D.
Found on creek bands in open forest country from northern N.T. and Qld. Extends to New Guinea. Flowers May--Aug. Map 142.
N.T.: Wessel Is., P.A.Latz 3379B (DNA, NSW, PERTH); 70 mi W of Oenpelli, P.A.Latz 3050 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K). Qld: Vyces Crossing N of Weipa, A.Morton 1812 (BRI, MEL), J.R.Clarkson 4898 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MBA, MO, NSW, PERTH, QRS); State Forest 461, Glenbora, 5 km NW of Cardwell, A.S. & M.G.Thorsborne 258 (BRI).
3. Dimeria ornithopoda Trin., Fund. Agrost. 167 (1820)
T: India, collector unknown; holo: LE, n.v. (photo BRI, K).
Dimeria tenera Trin., Mem. Acad. St. Petersb., ser 6,2: 335 (1832); D. ornithopoda var. tenera (Trin.) Hack., Monogr. Phan. 6: 81 (1889). T: Philippines, Manilla, Wallich 8839B; lecto: LE (photo BRI).
Dimeria psilobasis F.Muell. Fragm. 7: 104 (1870). T: Port Darwin, N.T., M.Schultz 321; holo: MEL; iso: K (photo BRI).
Dimeria glabriuscula F.M.Bailey, Syn. Qld Fl. Suppl. 3: 83 (1890) T: Harvey's Ck, Qld, F.M.Bailey s.n.; lecto: K (photo BRI); isolecto: MEL (photo BRI).
Dimeria glabra Ridley, Fl. Malay Penin. 5: 192 (1925); D. ornithopoda var. glabra (Ridley) Jansen in Reinwardtia 2: 266 (1953). T: Singapore, Burkill 4674; holo: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 87 (1952); H.G.Gilliland, Grasses of Malaya, fig. 46 (1971); C.-C.Hsu, Taiwan Grasses pl.231 (1975).
Annual with culms 5-40 cm tall, caespitose, simple; nodes hairy. Leaf lamina 0.5-7 cm long, 0.5-3 mm wide, linear-lanceolate; ligule 0.7 mm long. Inflorescence subdigitate or rarely digitate with 2 or rarely 3 racemes, 1.5-5 cm long; internodes 1-2 mm long, with scabrous margins. Spikelet c. 2.5 mm long, c. 2.5 mm wide, lanceolate-linear; lower glume narrowly linear-lanceolate, membranous on each side of mid-vein, scabrous on keel, glabrous, without dehiscence zone at base, 1-nerved, 1-keeled; upper glume 1-nerved, membranous on each side of mid-vein, lanceolate-acute, smooth,ciliate on keel towards apex; upper lemma c. 2.5 mm long, 1-nerved, bifid to bilobed, with awn 7-9 mm long.
Occurs in seepage areas and wet sites generally from tropical W.A., N.T. and Qld. Extends to India and Japan. Flowers Apr.--Sept. Map 143.
W.A.: 6 miles W of Tablelands Stn, Kimberley, M.Lazarides 6409 (BRI, CANB, MEL, PERTH). N.T.: South Alligator Mine, C.R.Dunlop 4578 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L). Qld: Coen, D.E.Symon 4822 (AD, BRI, CANB, K); junction of Coolooman and Little Coolooman Cks, SW of Herberton, May 1962, F.W.Whitehouse (BRI); Raspberry Vale, S.T.Blake 15554 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB, K, L, MO, NSW).
33. ELIONURUS
Elionurus Kunth ex Willd., Sp. Pl. 4: 941 (1806) as "Elyonurus" a spelling miscopied from Kunth's manuscript; from the Greek eleuein (to roll) and oura (tail) alluding to the spike-like racemes curling strongly when old.
Type: E. tripsacoides Willd.
Compactly tufted annuals or perennials, erect from base, aromatic. Ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Leaf lamina linear, attenuate. Inflorescence a loose panicle of terminal and axillary racemes, which are solitary; internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate to narrowly ovate, dorsally compressed; callus oblique, obtuse to pungent. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume membranous or coriaceous, lanceolate, 2-keeled, flattened on back, bifid; upper glume not keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma linear, entire; palea absent. Grain ellipsoid, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets smaller than sessile spikelets, oblong, sterile. A pantropic genus of 15 species, mostly in Africa and S. America; 1 species in Australia.
S.A.Renvoize, Studies in Elionurus (Gramineae), Kew Bull. 32: 665-675 (1978).
Elionurus citreus (R.Br.) Munro ex Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 510 (1878)
Andropogon citreus R.Br., Prodr. 203 (1810). T: Northumberland Is., Qld, Oct. 1802, R.Brown [6176]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI), NSW.
Elionurus papuanus Laut. & Schum. in Schum. & Laut., Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Sudsee: 171 (1901). T: New Guinea, C.A.Lauterbach 716; holo: B, n.v.
Illustrations: E.E.Henty, A manual of the grasses of New Guinea, t. 30a (1969); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 216 (1983).
Erect perennial with culms to 100 cm tall, unbranched below but branched above; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina to 40 cm long, 2-3 mm wide; ligule c. 1 mm long; racemes 2-6, 3-12 cm long; internodes shorter than pedicels, shortly hairy hairy at base, with long white stiff hairs at apex, 4.5-5.5 mm long, columnar with apices strongly oblique. Sessile spikelets 10-14 long, 2 mm. Lower floret neuter; lower glume coriaceous, with a dense fringe of stiff white hairs on keel margin, bifid with 2 long beak-like teeth, each 8-10 mm long), 9-nerved, 2-keeled; upper glume 3-nerved, 5-6 mm long, shortly acuminate, shortly hairy at base, membranous; lower lemma c. 4 mm long, acuminate, glabrous or slightly hairy at apex; upper lemma c. 4 mm long, elliptic, membranous. Anthers c. 1.5 mm long. Grain c. 3 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 10-11 mm long, neuter, reduced to 2 glumes; lower glume 3-nerved, with stiff white hairs along margin, coriaceous; upper glume 2/3 as lower glume, drawn out to a beak, 3-5-nerved, with short stiff hairs on margin; lower lemma absent. Lemon-scented grass. Fig. 16G-I.
From subtropical N.S.W. to tropical W.A., extending to New Guinea. Locally abundant in sandy soil along rivers and in coastal areas and sand dunes. Gives a lemon scent when crushed. Flowers Dec.--Oct. Map 144.
W.A.: 1 km W of Bunda Bunda Mill, Dampier Peninsula, S.J.Forbes 2396 (BRI, MEL). N.T.: Holmes Jungle, P.A.Latz 6689 (CANB, DNA). Qld: 3.5 km W of King River Stn, J.R.Clarkson 3730 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS, US); 19 km from Normanton on road to Karumba, B.K.Simon 3055 & T.Farrell (BRI, CANB, K); between Amity Point and Point Lookout, Stradbroke Is., C.E.Hubbard 2276 (BRI, K). N.S.W.: 17 km NW of Grafton, July 1974, G.P.M.Wilson s.n. (NSW).
34. HEMARTHRIA
Hemarthria R.Br., Prodr. 207 (1810). From the Greek hemi (half) and arthron (jointed) i.e. half-jointed, alluding to the resistance of the raceme internodes to breaking up.
Type: H. compressa (L.f.) R.Br.
Compactly tufted or stoloniferous or decumbent perennials, geniculate at lower nodes. Leaf lamina linear; ligule a hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence axillary, contracted, with spikelets embedded in rachis; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets narrowly lanceolate, dorsally compressed. Glumes slightly dissimilar; lower glume rigidly herbaceous, 2-keeled, convex on back; upper glume not keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma membranous, entire; palea shorter. Grain narrowly obovoid, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets similar in shape to sessile spikelets, male; pedicels fused with rachis.
A genus of 12 species in the Old World tropics and subtropics, possibly also native in America; 1 species in Australia. Grows in or near water.
C.A.Gardner, Hemarthria, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 304-306 (1952); J.W.Vickery, Hemarthria, Fl. New South Wales 19(1): 17-18 (1961).
Hemarthria uncinata R.Br., Prodr. 207 (1810)
Rottboellia uncinata (R.Br.) Spreng., Syst. 1: 299 (1825); R. compressa L.f. var. uncinata (R.Br.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monog. Phan. 6: 288 (1899). T: Derwent R., Tasmania, Mar. 1804, R.Brown, [6160]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K).
Rottboellia compressa var. australis Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monog. Phan. 6: 288 (1899); [Hemarthria compressa auct. non (L.f.) R.Br.; R.Br. Prodr. 207 (1810)].
Culms 30-100 cm tall, erect, arising from stolons, branched at upper nodes; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina to 15 cm long, 2-4 mm wide; ligule c. 0.3 mm long. Inflorescence of single racemes 5-12 cm long; internodes and pedicels the same length and fused, glabrous, 5-6 mm long. Sessile spikelets 5-8 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide; lower glume rounded on back, rigidly herbaceous, glabrous, 5-7-nerved, 2-keeled, with narrow wings at apex; upper glume 1-nerved, ± equal to lower glume, broadly elliptic, elliptic-acuminate, glabrous, membranous; lower lemma elliptic-acute, hyaline; upper lemma narrowly elliptic, slightly shorter than lower lemma, membranous; upper palea narrowly elliptic, slightly shorter than its lemma. Anthers 1-2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets slightly longer than sessile spikelet, male; lower glume 5-nerved, glabrous; upper glume subequal to lower glume, hyaline, glabrous; lower lemma membranous; upper lemma as long as lower glume. Anthers 1-2 mm long.
Locally abundant near the coast, in wet areas. From all Australian states (south-western W.A. and S.A. to northern Qld). There are 2 varieties.
Leaf sheaths loose, expanded, flattened and spathe-like var. spathacea
Leaf sheaths not as above var. uncinata
Hemarthria uncinata R.Br. var. spathacea (Domin) Vick., Contrib. N.S.W. Nat. Herb. 3: 83 (1961)
Rottboellia compressa var. spathacea Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 261 (1915); T: Sunnybank, Brisbane, Dec 1909, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (fragment NSW).
Illustration: K.Domin, op. cit. fig. 62 (1915).
Leaf sheaths loose, expanded, flattened and spathe-like.
Fig. 16C.
Occurs in coastal areas from central N.S.W. to northern Qld. Flowers Nov.--July and Sept. Map. 145.
Qld: Braemedows, Ingham, L.J.Webb & J.G.Tracey 5862 (BRI, CANB); Rockhampton, C.E.Hubbard 8052 (BRI, CANB); Dutton Park, Brisbane, May 1937, H.Tryon B (BRI, NSW); Sandgate, S.T.Blake 18479 (BRI, CANB). N.S.W.: Neutral Bay, Nov 1916, J.B.Cleland s.n. (BRI, NSW).
Hemarthria uncinata R.Br. var. uncinata
Illustrations: F.Turner, Australian Grasses 1: 28 (1895) as Hemarthria compressa; C.A.Gardner, op. cit. t. 89B (1952); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 256 (1983).
Leaf sheaths not loose, expanded, flattened and spathe-like
Fig. 16A-B.
Occurs in coastal south-western W.A., coastal Tas to central Qld. Flowers Jan.--May and Nov.-Dec. Map 146.
W.A.: L. Richmond, 54 km S of Perth, K.F.Kenneally 6561 (CANB, PERTH). S.A.: Honans Scrub, R.Bates 4815 (AD, BRI). Qld: Stradbroke Is., between Amity Point and Fern Gully, C.E.Hubbard 2268 (BRI, K). N.S.W.: Burrewarra Point, near Batemans Bay, L.A.Craven 1511 (CANB, K, L, MEL, NSW). Vic: Jullumba Swamp Wildlife Reserve, A.C.Beaglehole 76229 (BRI, CANB, MEL). Tas: Circular Head, Gunn 417 (BRI, NSW).
35. MNESITHEA
Mnesithea Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1: 153 (1829); named in honour of the Greek herbalist Mnesitheus.
Type: Mnesithea laevis (Retz.) Kunth.
Coelorachis Brongn. in Duperrey, Voy. Monde, Phan. 64, f. 14 (1831). T: C. muricata (Retz.) Brogn.
Rottboellia sect. Apogonia Nutt., Gen. N. Amer. Pl. 1: 83 (1818). T: Rottboellia rugosa Nutt. = C. rugosa (Nutt.) Nash
Hackelochloa Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2:776 (1891). T: H. granularis (L.) Kuntze.
Heteropholis C.E.Hubb., Ic. Pl. 36: t. 3548 (1956). T: H. sulcata (Stapf) C.E.Hubb.
Compactly tufted or rhizomatous annuals or perennials, erect from base. Leaf lamina linear; ligule an unfringed or hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, of paniculate or single racemes, with spikelets embedded in rachis, spatheate; racemes solitary; internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets globose to broadly elliptic, dorsally compressed or terete, glabrous or hairy; callus truncate with a prominent central peg. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume indurated, cartilaginous or chartaceous, convex to flattened on back, truncate, smooth, rugose or areolar; upper glume acuminate, sometimes keeled. Lower floret reduced to a membranous lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma membranous, entire; palea slightly shorter than lemma or absent. Grain oblong, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets similar to sessile spikelets or larger or reduced to glumes, male, pedicels fused with or free from rachis.
A pantropic genus of 32 species in grassland and open woodland, sometimes in weedy localities. Five species in Australia.
C.A.Gardner, Hackelochloa, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 306-308 (1952); W.D.Clayton, Studies in the Gramineae: 21. Coelorhachis and Rhytachne: A study of numerical taxonomy, in Kew Bull. 24: 309-314 (1970); J.F.Veldkamp, R.de Koning & M.S.M.Sosef, Generic delimitation of Rottboellia and related genera (Gramineae), Blumea 31: 281-307 (1986). C.E.Hubbard. Heteropholis in Heteropholis sulcata, Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 36: t. 3548 (1956); R. de Koning, M.S.M.Sosef & J.F.Veldkamp, A revision of Heteropholis and Thaumastochloa (Gramineae), Gard. Bull. Singapore 36: 137-162 (1983) M.Lazarides, Heteropholis in New taxa of tropical Australian grasses (Poaceae), Nuytsia 5: 273-303 (1985).
1 Pedicels free from the rachis 1. M. rottboellioides
1: Pedicels adnate to the rachis
2 Lower glume of the sessile
spikelet with ornate sculpturing
3 Sessile spikelets 4.5-5.5 mm long, obovate 2. M. annua
3: Sessile spikelets c.1 mm long, subglobose to globose 3. M. granularis
2: Lower glume of the sessile spikelet smooth
4 Apex of rachis joint with a fringe of hairs; sessile
spikelet c. 3 mm long; pedicelled spikelet reduced to
twisted membranous glumes 4. M. formosa
4: Apex of rachis joint not fringed with hairs; sessile
spikelet c. 4 mm long; pedicelled spikelet very
rudimentary, glumes not twisted membranes 5. M. pilosa
1. Mnesithea rottboellioides (R.Br.) de Koning & Sosef, Blumea 31: 291 (1986)
Ischaemum rottboellioides R.Br., Prodr. 205 (1810); Andropogon rottboellioides (R.Br.) Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 382 (1855); Rottboellia ophiuroides Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 514 (1878); Manisuris rottboellioides (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl.2:779 (1891); Rottboellia rottboellioides (R.Br.) Druce, Rep. Bot.Exch. Club, Brit. Isles 644 (1917); Coelorachis rottboellioides (R.Br.) A.Camus, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon 68: 197 (1921). T: Gulf of Carpentaria, North Coast, Apr. 1803, R.Brown [6156]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (fragment BRI), MEL (photo BRI), NSW (photo BRI).
Rottboellia ophiuroides var. commutata Hack., in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monog. Phan. 6: 304 (1889). T: Etheridge R., Qld, F.Mueller s.n.; holo: W (fragment & photo BRI; photo K).
Rottboellia ophiuroides var. vestita Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 261 (1915). T: Yarraba, Jan. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 89 (1952), as Coelorhachis rottboellioides; E.E.Henty, A manual of the grasses of New Guinea, t. 31b (1969), as Coelorhachis rottboellioides; J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 166 (1983), as Coelorachis rottboellioides.
Perennial. Culms 100-300 cm tall, rhizomatous, branching; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 20-50 cm long, 5-15 mm wide; ligule c. 1 mm long, a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence a panicle of 30-50 pedunculate, 8-15-jointed racemes, 5-10 cm long; internodes and pedicels 2-3 mm long, glabrous. Sessile spikelets 3.5-4.5 long, 1-1.3 mm wide, dorsally compressed; lower glume oblong-elliptic-obtuse, flat on back, indurated, with fairly broad wings at apex; upper glume ± equal to lower glume, broadly elliptic, thinly crustaceous, mucronate; lower lemma elliptic-obtuse; upper lemma narrowly elliptic, hyaline; upper palea narrowly elliptic. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets slightly shorter than sessile spikelet, male, with both glumes, lower lemma and upper lemma and palea, pedicels free from rachis. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Northern Canegrass. Fig. 17A-C
Widely encountered although only locally common, in grasslands or open forests of tropical Qld, N.T. and W.A., extending to New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines. Flowers Dec.--June. Map 147.
W.A.:Mary R., C.A.Gardner 7131 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: U.D.P. Falls, 7 mi NW of El Sharana, P.Martensz AE 530 (BRI, CANB, DNA); Stapleton Ck, Stuart Hwy, N.Byrnes 1736 (BRI, DNA). Qld: Chillagoe, C.E.Hubbard 6812 & C.W.Winders (BRI, K, NSW); Braemeadows, Ingham, L.J.Webb & J.G.Tracey 5866 (BRI, CANB).
2. Mnesithea granularis (L.) de Koning & Sosef, Blumea 31: 295 (1986)
Cenchrus granularis L., Mant. Pl. Alt. 2: 575 (1771); Manisuris granularis (L.) L.f., Nov. Gram. Gen.: 37 (1779); M. granularis (L.)Sw., Prodr. 25 (1788); Rottboellia granularis (L.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 79 (1960); Hackelochloa granularis (L.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl.2: 776 (1891). T: "India orientalis"; holo: LINN 1217.12 in LINN.
Illustrations: W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae fig. 200 (1982); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 254 (1983); M.Soerjani, A.J.G.H.Kostermans & G.Tjitrosoepomo, Weeds Rice Indonesia fig. 4.199 (1987), all as Hackelochloa granularis.
Annual. Culms 10-70 cm tall, erect with prop roots, branched; nodes hairy. Leaf lamina 3-12 cm long, 3-7 mm wide; ligule 1-1.5 mm long, a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence a panicle of 10-20 pedunculate, 4-8-jointed racemes, 1-2.5 cm long; internodes c. 1.5 mm long, longer than and fused to pedicels, glabrous. Sessile spikelets c. 1.5 long, c. 1.5 mm wide, globose; lower glume rounded on back, indurated, rugose; upper glume shorter than lower glume, obovate, membranous; lower lemma oblong; upper lemma broadly elliptic; upper palea elliptic. Anthers c. 0.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets longer than sessile spikelet, male or neuter, with both glumes, lower lemma and upper lemma and palea, pedicels fused to rachis. Fig. 17G-I.
A pantropic weed; occurs in northern tropical Australia in Qld, N.T. and W.A. Flowers Feb.--May. Map 148.
W.A.:Carlton Hill Stn, C.A.Gardner 9824 (PERTH). N.T.: 6 mi E of Maranboy siding, I.B.Wilson 114 (CANB, DNA). Qld: Gillies Hwy, 20 km from Gordonvale, B.K.Simon 2646, J.R.Clarkson & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); Cairns, S.T.Blake 13354 (BRI, NSW); Townsville, S.T.Blake 13337 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, NSW, PRE, US).
3. Mnesithea annua (Lazarides) de Koning & Sosef, Blumea 31: 295 (1986)
Heteropholis annua Lazarides, Nuytsia 5: 288 (1985). T: Guaging Stn, Camp Ck, Mitchell Plateau, W.A., 3 May 1982, K.Kenneally 8219; holo: CANB; iso: BRI, DNA, K (photo BRI), L, PERTH, US.
Illustrations: M.Lazarides, op. cit. Figs 1c-d, 7f (1985), as Heteropholis annua.
Annual. Culms 100-200 cm tall, erect with prop roots, branched; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 30-60 cm long, 10-40 mm wide; ligule 1-2 mm long, an unfringed membrane. Inflorescence a panicle of 1-4 reduced pedunculate, 10-15-jointed racemes 5-7.3 cm long; internodes and pedicels 4-5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 4.5-5.5 long, 2-2.5 mm wide, dorsally compressed; lower glume obovate, rounded on back, indurated, coarsely rugose; upper glume 2-nerved, ± equal to lower glume, broadly oblong, obtuse, sparsely hairy at base, crustaceous, mucronate; lower lemma broadly elliptic; upper lemma oblong; upper palea oblong. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Grain c. 3.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets longer than sessile spikelet, male, with both glumes, lower lemma and upper lemma and palea, pedicels fused to rachis. Anthers c. 3 mm long. Fig. 17M-N.
Restricted to the Mitchell Plateau in northern W.A. Flowers Feb.--May. Map 149.
W.A.: Mt. Barnett Stn, Manning Gorge, C.R.Dunlop 7845 (BRI, DNA, MEL, NSW, PERTH); 9 km SW of Amax Campsite (14° 55's, 125° 44'E), Mitchell Plateau, K.Keneally 7128 (PERTH); Kunmunya, Feb. 1944, G.W.Holmes s.n. (MEL); Prince Regent R., 1891, Bradshawe & Allen sn. (MEL).
4. Mnesithea formosa (R.Br.) de Koning & Sosef, Blumea 31: 288 (1986)
Rottboellia formosa R.Br., Prodr. 206 (1810). T: Mallison's Is., N.T., 1 Mar. 1803, R.Brown [6157]; holo: BM (photo BRI, K); iso: K (photo BRI), MEL (photo BRI), NSW (photo BRI).
Rottboellia formosa var. pilosissima Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 261 (1915). T: Cloncurry, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (fragment NSW, photo BRI).
Rottboellia formosa f. subglabra Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 261 (1915). T: Castle Hill, Townsville, Feb. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, op. cit. t. 90B (1952), as Rottboellia formosa; J.P.Jessop, Fl. Central Australia, fig. 630 (1981), as Rottboellia formosa.
Annual. Culms 10-30 cm tall, erect, branched; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 1-8 cm long, 1-3 mm wide; ligule 1-1.5 mm long, a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence of single pedunculate, 6-12-jointed racemes, 2-4 cm long; internodes and pedicels 2-2.5 mm long, fused, with a basal and apical fringe of silky hairs. Sessile spikelets 1.8-2.2 long, 1.2-1.5 mm wide, terete; lower glume ovate, rounded on back, indurated, with silky white hairs; upper glume ovate, glabrous, membranous; lower lemma elliptic-acute, glabrous; upper lemma narrowly elliptic, membranous; upper palea elliptic. Pedicelled spikelets as long as sessile spikelet, reduced to two flat subulate unequal glumes, neuter, pedicels fused to rachis. Fig. 17D-F.
Occurs in savanna woodlands of northern Australia extending to New Guinea. Flowers Feb.--July. Map 150.
W.A.: Revolver Ck, Southern Carr Boyd Ranges, T.G.Hartley 14547 (CANB, DNA, PERTH). N.T.: 2 m W of Margaret R., Deepwater Rd, J.Must 969 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, NSW). Qld: Thursday Is., Milman Hill, J.R.Clarkson 6450A (BRI, CANB, MBA, NSW, QRS); Springmount Stn, J.R.Clarkson 4633 (BRI, K, MBA, NSW, QRS); Townsville, Castle Hill, S.T.Blake 8170 (BRI, CANB, CHR, DNA, K, LE, MO, NSW, PERTH, PRE, SP, US).
5. Mnesithea pilosa B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 3:90 (1989)
T: Swans Lagoon, Qld, 24 Mar. 1983, P.Chaplain s.n.; holo: BRI.
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit., figs 5 & 6 (1989).
Annual. Culms 25-30 cm tall, erect, branched; nodes hairy. Leaf lamina 3-6 cm long, 1-3 mm wide; ligule c. 1 mm long, a hair-fringed membrane. Inflorescence of single pedunculate, 5-10-jointed, racemes, 1-4 cm long; internodes and pedicels 3-5 mm long, fused for some distance, glabrous. Sessile spikelets 2-3.5 long, 1.3-2 mm wide, dorsally compressed or terete; lower glume ovate, rounded on back, indurated, pilose, slightly rugose; upper glume ovate, glabrous, membranous;lower lemma elliptic-acute, glabrous; upper lemma narrowly elliptic, membranous; upper palea elliptic;, anthers c. 1 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets much shorter than sessile spikelet, reduced to a glume fragment ½ mm long, neuter; pedicel rigid and 3-nerved, partially fused to the rachis. Fig. 17J-L.
The habitat is unknown and the species is restricted to the type. Flowers Mar. Map 151.
36. ROTTBOELLIA
Rottboellia L.f., Suppl. Pl. 13: 23 (1782) nom.cons.; named in honour of Professor C.F.Rottboell, a Danish botanist of the eighteenth century.
Type: R. exaltata L.f. (1782) non (L.)L.f. (1779) = R. cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton
Loosely tufted annuals, erect from base. Leaf blades linear, attenuate; ligule a hairfringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, racemose, contracted, with spikelets embedded in rachis; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; callus very short, rounded. Glumes very dissimilar; lower coriaceous, clasping margins of upper glume, 2‑keeled, convex on back; upper rigidly herbaceous, boat shaped, keeled. Lower floret male or sterile; lemma and palea membranous. Upper floret bisexual; lemma and palea membranous, entire. Grain ellipsoid or oblong, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets smaller than sessile spikelets, sterile, pedicels fused with rachis.
A genus of 5 species from the Old World tropics; 1 species in Australia. Occurs in swamps or wet sites in savanna woodland.
G.Bentham, Rottboellia in part, Fl. Austral. 7: 512‑514; C.A.Gardner, Rottboellia in Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 308 (1952); Jessop J.P., Rottboellia in Fl. Cent. Aust. 495 (1981).
Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton, Kew Bull. 35: 817 (1981)
Stegosia cochinchinensis Lour., Fl. Cochin. 1: 51 (1790). T: Indo-China, J.de Loureiro s.n.; holo; BM (photo BRI, K).
Rottboellia exaltata L.f., Suppl. Pl. 114 (1781) non (L.) L.f. (1779) T: "In indiis", C.P.Thunberg LINN 101.5; holo: LINN.
Illustrations: W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize, Fl. Trop. E. Africa, Gramineae fig. 203 (1982); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 364 (1983) as R. exaltata; M.Soerjani, A.J.G.H.Kostermans & G.Tjitrosoepomo, Weeds Rice Indonesia fig. 4.219 (1987) as R. exaltata.
Culms to 300 cm tall, erect with prop roots and branching from upper nodes; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina to 50 cm long, 10-30 mm wide; ligule c. 1.5 mm long. Racemes 6-15 cm long; internodes longer than pedicels, glabrous, 6-7 mm long. Sessile spikelets 5-6 long, c. 2 mm wide; lower glume ovate-oblong, rounded on back, indurated, glabrous, faintly 9-nerved; upper glume faintly 15-nerved, ± equal to lower glume, broadly oblong , obtuse, glabrous, coriaceous; upper lemma broadly oblong, as long as upper glume, membranous; upper palea slightly shorter than lemma, narrowly elliptic. Anthers c. 1.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets slightly shorter than sessile spikelet, neuter; lower glume c. 5.5 mm long, indurated, 12-18-nerved; upper glume 2/3 as long as lower, thinly hyaline; lower lemma membranous. Itch Grass. Fig. 16J-L.
A pantropical species growing in wet sites, commonly as a weed. Found in Australia in tropical coastal Qld and N.T.; Lord Howe Is. One record from N.S.W. Flowers Jan.--Sept. Map 152.
N.T.: Casuarina, Darwin, M.O.Rankin 1745 (CANB, CBG, DNA, MEL); Manton Dam, M.Parker 42 (CANB, DNA). Qld: Thursday Is., S side ofGreen Hill, J.R.Clarkson 6383 (BRI, MBA, NSW, QRS); South Kokialah Ck, 40 km S of Aurukun, J.R.Clarkson 4394 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); 4 km SSW of Ayr, B.K.Simon 3441 (BRI). N.S.W.: Ten Mile Hollow, Mangrove Mtn area, Apr. 1968, O.S.Goldfinch s.n. (NSW).
37. ZEA
Zea L., Sp. Pl.: 1:971 (1753), Gen. Pl. 5:419 (1754); from the Greek zea or zeia, name of an undetermined cereal.
Type: Z. mays L.
Tall monoecious annuals with the male spikelets in a terminal panicle of racemes and female spikelets in axillary spikes. Leaf lamina flat and broad. Male spikelets 2-flowered, in pairs, one sessile, the other pedicelled. Glumes subequal, acute to acuminate, 7-11-nerved, ciliate towards the tips; lemmas 2, subequal and similar to the glumes, 3-5-nerved; paleas 2, subequal to the lemmas; stamens 3, anthers long. Female spikelets sessile on the spike axis. Lower glume either indurate and rounded, enclosing the flat upper glume or both glumes membranous and hyaline and obtuse or emarginately 2-lobed. Lemmas 1 or 2, hyaline, if 2 the lower sterile and upper fertile; palea(s) membranous. Grain hard, the embryo oblong.
A genus of 5 species native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Zea mays L., maize or Indian corn, is cultivated world wide in tropical, subtropical and moderately warm regions, including Australia. Its wild relatives the "teosintes" were formally placed in the genus Euchlaena but cytological work has indicated a need for them to be placed, a view taken in this Flora. One species has recently become naturalised in N. Qld.
R.G.Reeves & P.C.Mangelsdorf, A proposed taxonomic change in the tribe Maydeae (family Gramineae), Amer. J. Bot. 29: 815-817 (1942); H.H. Iltis, The taxonomy of Zea (Gramineae), Phytologia 23: 243-249 (1972); R. McK. Bird, A Name change for central American teosinte, Taxon 27: 361-363 (1978); J.F.Doebley & H.H.Iltis, Taxonomy of Zea (Gramineae). I. A subgeneric classification with key to taxa. Amer. J. Bot. 67: 982-993 (1980). H.H.Iltis & J.F.Doebley, Taxonomy of Zea (Gramineae). II. Subspecific categories in the Zea mays complex and a generic synopsis. Amer. J. Bot. 67: 994-1004 (1980).
Female spikes in axillary inflorescence few to many,
each a slender distichous spike *Z. mexicana
Female spikes in axillary inflorescence solitary,
gigantic and polystichous with a massive central axis (cob) +Z. mays
The species marked with a dagger (+) is not treated further in this work.
*Zea mexicana (Schrader) Kuntze, in Post and Kuntze, Lexicon 599 (1904).
Euchlaena mexicana Schrader, Index. Sem. Hort. Goettingen (1832); reprinted in Linnaea 8: Litt. 25 (1833); Zea mays L. ssp. mexicana (Schrader) Iltis, Ann. Rep. Genet. 4: 450 (1971); emend. Phytologia 23: 249 (1972). T. Mexico, from seeds collected by Muhlenfordt ("e hort. Goett."), Schrader s.n.; holo: LE, n.v.; iso: MO, n.v., US (photo BRI), WIS, n.v., fide H.H. Iltis, Amer. J. Bot. 67: 1001 (1980).
Illustrations: A.S.Hitchcock, Manual of the grasses of the United States, 2nd edn rev A.Chase, fig. 1198 (1950); C.-C.Hsu, Taiwan Grasses 686, t. 238 (1975).
Caespitose with culms 2-3 m tall, branching at the base. Leaf sheaths glabrous; leaf-lamina flat, to 8 cm wide, glabrous on both surfaces, the margins scabrous. Male spikelets ca. 8 mm long, acute to acuminate. Female spike c. 5 cm long, enclosed in spathes of which there are at least 2 in leaf sheath; spikelets solitary, 7-8 mm long, on opposite sides of an obliquely articulate rachis. Lower glume indurate and rounded, enclosing the rachis and flat upper glume. Teosinte. Fig. 19I-M.
Native to Mexico: introduced to Australia as fodder and naturalised in N. Qld. Map 153.
Qld: 7km S. of Atherton on Kennedy Hwy, J.R.Clarkson 5948 (BRI, CANB, K, NSW, QRS); 1 km N of Barron R. crossing on Kennedy Hwy S of Atherton, J.R.Clarkson 7248 & B.K.Simon (BRI).
38. EREMOCHLOA
Eremochloa Buse in Miq., Pl. Jungh.: 367 (1854); from the Greek eremos (solitary) and chloa (grass), alluding to the single terminal spike.
Type: E. horneri Buse = E. ciliaris (L.) Merr.
Compactly tufted perennials, geniculate at lower nodes or erect from base. Leaf lamina linear; ligule an unfringed membrane, short. Inflorescence terminal, racemose, contracted; racemes solitary with internodes linear to clavate, pedicels flattened. Spikelets paired, one sessile the other pedicelled, heteromorphous. Sessile spikelets lanceolate, dorsally compressed; callus truncate with a prominent central peg. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume coriaceous, 2-keeled, the keels pectinate, flattened on back, truncate, winged apically; upper glume oblong, slightly keeled. Lower floret male; lemma translucent; palea slightly shorter. Upper floret bisexual; lemma membranous, entire; palea shorter. Pedicelled spikelets reduced to a narrow glume or suppressed, pedicels fused with rachis.
A genus of 9 species from India to China and Australia where there are 3 species. Inhabits coastal localities on sandy soils and of little value as fodder.
N.L.Bor, Notes on Asiatic Grasses: 8. The genus Eremochloa Buse in India and Burma, Kew Bull. 7: 309-316 (1952).
1 Lower glume of the sessile spikelet without
wings at the apex 1. E. ciliaris
1: Lower glume of the sessile spikelet with
wings at the apex
2 Wings broad; sessile spikelet ca. 6 mm
long 2. E. muricata
2: Wings narrow; sessile spikelet
ca. 4 mm long 3. E. bimaculata
1. Eremochloa ciliaris (L.) Merr., Philipp. J. Science 1, suppl. 4, 331 (1906)
Nardus ciliaris L., Sp. Pl. 1: 53 (1753). T: India, collector unknown, holo: LINN 73.7 in LINN.
Eremochloa horneri Buse in Miq., Pl. Jungh. 1: 357 T: Sumatra, L.Horner s.n.; holo: L 908,98-77 & 908,98-41 in L (photo BRI).
Illustrations: N.L.Bor, op. cit. 311, fig. 4. (1952); H.B.Gilliland, Grasses of Malaya fig. 59 (1971).
Culms 80-95 cm tall, rhizomatous, simple or branched; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 7-27 cm long, 2-3 mm wide; ligule 0.5-1 mm long. Inflorescence single; racemes 8-25-jointed, 2-5.5 cm long; internodes 2-2.5 mm long, glabrous. Sessile spikelets 3.5-4 long, c. 2 mm wide; lower glume elliptic-acute, glabrous, pectinate throughout with filiform spines of unequal length, 7-nerved, 2-keeled, without wings at apex; upper glume 3-nerved, 4 mm long, narrowly elliptic acute, glabrous, membranous; lower lemma 3.5 mm long, elliptic-obtuse; upper lemma stipitiform, c. 2.5 mm long; upper palea a small hyaline scale. Anthers 1-1.2 mm long. Pedicelled spikelets 1.5-2 mm long, neuter, ellipsoid. Fig. 18C.
Extends from northern Cape York Peninsular to Burma and southern China. Grows on sandy soil in savanna woodland. Flowers Jan. and June Map 154.
Qld: Fruit Bat Falls, Eliot Ck, J.R.Clarkson 9285 & V.J.Neldner (BRI); Badu Is., S.T.Garnett 334 (BRI), S.T.Garnett 318 (BRI) and S.T.Garnett 117 (BRI).
2. Eremochloa muricata (Retz.) Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 262 (1889)
Aegilops muricata Retz., Obs. Bot. 2: 27 (1781); Rottboellia mucronata Retz., Obs. Bot. 3: 12 (1783) T: India, Wallich 8867; neo: K (photo BRI).
Ischaemum pectinatum Trin., Mem. Acad. Petersb. ser. 6,2: 296 (1832); Andropogon pectinatus (Trin.) Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 369 (1854). T: Burma, holo: n.v. (?LE).
Illustrations: N.L.Bor., op. cit. 311, fig. 1 (1952).
Culms 40-50 cm tall, densely tufted from thick flattened woody rootstock, simple; nodes glabrous. Leaf lamina 6-17 cm long, 2-6 mm wide; ligule c. 1 mm long. Inflorescence single; racemes 6-9-jointed, 2-4 cm long; internodes glabrous, c. 4.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 6-7 long, c. 7 mm wide; lower glume elliptic-acute, glabrous, pectinate throughout with flat spines of ± equal length, 7-nerved, 2-keeled, with wings at apex, wings broad; upper glume 3-nerved, c. 5.5 mm long, narrowly elliptic acute, glabrous, membranous; lower lemma c. 5 mm long, elliptic-obtuse, hyaline; lower palea c. 4 mm long, hyaline; upper lemma elliptic, c. 4 mm long, hyaline; upper palea c. 4 mm long, a small hyaline scale. Pedicelled spikelets c. 6 mm long, neuter, a lanceolate-acuminate inflated structure. Fig. 18D.
In Australia found on one rocky headland from northern Qld. Occurs also in India, Burma and Sri Lanka. Flowers Feb. Map 155.
Qld: Cape Flattery, I.B.Staples 2254 (BRI).
3. Eremochloa bimaculata Hack. in A.L.P.P.De Candolle Monogr. Phan. 6: 265 (1889)
T: India, W.Griffiths 6774; holo: B, n.v.; iso: K (photo BRI).
[Ischaemum pectinatum auct. non Trin.; G. Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 521 (1878)]
[Eremochloa muricata auct. non (Retz.) Hack.; J.H.Maiden, Ag. Gaz. N.S.W. 16: 429 (1905)]
Illustrations: J.A.Maiden, loc. cit. as Eremochloa mucronata; N.L.Bor., op. cit. 311, fig. 5 (1952); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 234 (1983).
Culms 30-80 cm tall, densely tufted from thick flattened woody rootstock, simple; nodes hairy. Leaf lamina 5-10 cm long, 2-5 mm wide; ligule 0.4-0.6 mm long. Inflorescence single; racemes 15-30-jointed, 4-11 cm long; internodes glabrous, c. 2.5 mm long. Sessile spikelets 4.5-5 long, c. 2 mm wide; lower glume oblong-elliptic-acute, glabrous, pectinate in lower 2/3 with flat spines of unequal length, 7-nerved, 2-keeled, with wings at apex, wings narrow; upper glume 3-nerved, c. 4 mm long, narrowly elliptic acute, glabrous, membranous; lower lemma c. 3.5 mm long, elliptic-obtuse, hyaline; lower palea c. 3.5 mm long, hyaline; upper lemma elliptic, c. 3.5 mm long, hyaline; upper palea c. 3.5 mm long, a small hyaline scale. Pedicelled spikelets c. 4 mm long, neuter, ellipsoid. Poverty Grass. Fig. 18A-B.
Occurs from northern N.S.W. through Qld in the open forest and woodland country. Extends to New Guinea and India, Burma and Thailand. Flowers Oct.--May. Map 156.
Qld: Fairview-Kimba Stn road, 6 km W of North Kennedy R., J.R.Clarkson 4194 (BRI, DNA, K, MBA, PERTH, QRS); Gladstone, S.T.Blake 12822 (BRI CANB, K, NSW); Mt. Coolum, P.R.Sharpe 3074 (BISH, BRI, CANB, K, MO); Stradbroke Is., S.T.Blake 7102 (CANB, NSW, US). N.S.W.: Booroling, 18 mi SW of Guyra, E.N.McKie 2406 (BRI, NSW).
39. THAUMASTOCHLOA
Thaumastochloa C.E.Hubb., in Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 34: t. 3313 (1936); from the Greek thaumoastos (wonderful) and chloa (grass), presumably alluding to the decorative ornamentation of the spikelets.
Type: T. pubescens (Domin) C.E.Hubb.
Loosely tufted or decumbent annuals, geniculate at lower nodes. Leaf lamina linear-lanceolate, attenuate; ligule an unfringed or hair-fringed membrane, short. Inflorescence axillary, racemose, contracted, with spikelets embedded in the rachis, spatheate. Spikes solitary with internodes stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets reduced to sessile, lanceolate, dorsally compressed; callus truncate with a prominent central peg. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume indurated, clasping margins of upper glume, convex or slightly concave on back, sometimes transversely ridged; upper glume slightly indurated or hyaline, convex on back, slightly keeled. Lower floret reduced to a hyaline lemma, sterile. Upper floret bisexual; lemma entire. Grain broadly ovoid, dorsally compressed. Pedicelled spikelets suppressed, pedicels fused with rachis.
A genus of 9 species, of which 6 are endemic, to Australia and the other 3 extend only to New Guinea. Growing on sandy soils in savannas, often mixed with species of other genera.
C.E.Hubbard, Thaumastochloa in Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 34: t. 3313, 3314 (1936); C.A.Gardner, Thaumastochloa, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 309-310 (1952); R. de Koning, M.S.M.Sosef & J.F.Veldkamp, A revision of Heteropholis and Thaumastochloa (Gramineae) in Gard. Bull. Singapore 36(1): 137-162 (1983).
1 Mature spikes with 4 or more internodes
2 Spikes more than 2 mm thick
3 Spikes not constricted at the nodes 1. T. major
3: Spikes constricted at the nodes 2. T. monilifera
2: Spikes less than 2 mm thick
4 Spikes of one type only 3. T. pubescens
4: Spikes of two different types 4. T. heteromorpha
1: Mature spikes with 1-3 internodes
5 Spikes 11-20 mm long, 2-3, rarely 1,
jointed 5. T. striata
5: Spikes 3-9 mm long, 1, rarely 2
jointed
6 Culms with 6-9 nodes; lower glume
smooth or slightly rugulose
7 Peduncle 0.5-2 cm long; internodes 2.5-3 mm long 6. T. rariflora
7: Peduncles 2-10 cm long; internodes 3-6 mm long 1. T. major
6: Culms with 10-15 nodes; lower glume
not smooth
8 Lower glume distinctly transversely rugulose 7. T. brassii
8: Lower glume longitudinally ribbed 8. T. rubra
1. Thaumastochloa major S.T.Blake, Univ. Qld Pap. Dept. Biol. 1(18): 20 (1941).
T: Cairns, Qld, 24 Mar. 1938, S.T.Blake 13360; holo: BRI; iso: AD, CANB, K, L (photo BRI), MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH.
[T. pubescens auct. non C.E.Hubb.; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 309 (1952)]
[T. rariflora auct. non C.E.Hubb.; C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 310 (1952)]
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, op. cit., fig. 91 A-C as Thaumastochloa pubescens, fig. 91D-L as Thaumastochloa rariflora; R. de Koning et al., op. cit. fig. 5b (1983); J. R. Wheeler, Fl. Kimberley Region Fig. 347 (1992).
Culms 35 cm tall; nodes 6-10 . Sheaths 1-4 cm long, pilose along margins. Leaf lamina 2-12 cm long, 1.5-5.5 mm wide, linear, flat to involute, pilose, rarely glabrous; peduncle 1.5-18 mm long, glabrous, erect to recurved. Spikes heteromorphous or homomorphous, with spikelets alternating in 2 rows or with spikelets ± in 1 row, cylindrical, 1.5-3 cm long or 0.35-1.6 cm long, 2-3.5 mm or 1-1.5 mm wide, 4-10-jointed or 1-2-jointed; internodes 4-5.5 mm long or 3.5-10 mm long. Articulation straight to oblique or straight. Spikelet 2.3-4 mm long; lower glume triangular or ovate-oblong, flat or convex, rugose or smooth, 9-nerved; upper lemma 2-nerved. Anthers 1.4-1.7 mm long. Fig. 18M-O.
Sandy soils in damp situations in northern W.A., N.T. and Qld extending to Malesia (Aru Is.). Flowers Feb.--Oct. Map 157.
W.A.: Cone Hill, Cape Domett, T.G.Hartley 14757 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Adelaide R. floodplain, 10 km E of Adelaide R., B.K.Simon 3635 & M.H.Andrew (BRI, CANB, DNA, K); 4 mi NE of Mudginberry homestead, M.Lazarides 7564 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, NSW, US). Qld: 3 km W of St. George R. crossing on Fairview to Kimba road, J.R.Clarkson 3176 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, QRS); 61 mi NW of Croydon, M.Lazarides 4766 (BRI, CANB, MEL, NSW).
2. Thaumastochloa monilifera Sosef & de Koning, Gard. Bull. Singapore 36: 153 (1983)
T: Wenlock R., Qld, 27 July 1948, L.J.Brass 19712; holo: L (photo BRI); iso: A, K (photo BRI).
Illustration: R. de Koning et al, op. cit. fig. 5a (1983).
Culms 70 cm tall; nodes 5-9 . Sheaths 2.5-4 cm long, pilose. Leaf lamina 4-11 cm long, 2-5 mm wide, linear, flat, pilose; peduncle 1-8 mm long, glabrous, erect to recurved. Spikes homomorphous, with spikelets alternating in 2 rows, moniliform, 1-1.5 cm long, 2-3.5 mm wide, 4-8-jointed; internodes 1.7-5 mm long. Articulation oblique. Spikelet 1.6-3.5 mm long; lower glume convex, rugulose, 7-nerved; upper lemma 0-nerved. Anthers 0.5-1 mm long. Fig. 18E-F.
Dry sandy banks of gullies and roads in savanna. From coastal NE N.T. and Cape York Peninsular, Qld. Flowers Apr.--July. Map 158.
N.T.: 6 miles SSE of Bing Bong homestead, P.A.Latz 1509 (BRI, DNA, MEL). Qld: Near Wenlock R., L.Pedley 2745 (BRI); 2 km S of North Kennedy R. on Peninsular Development road, J.R.Clarkson 3100 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, NSW, QRS); 3 km W of Peninsula Development Rd on track to Koolburra Stn, J.R.Clarkson 3146A (BRI); 4 m N of Laura, D.E.Symon 4795 (AAU, AHUC, BRI, CANB, K).
3. Thaumastochloa pubescens (Benth.) C.E.Hubb., Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 34, t. 3313: 2 (1936)
Ophiuros corymbosus var. pubescens Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 512 (1878); O. pubescens (Benth.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 262 (1915); Ophiuros pollockii Marquand, Bull. Misc. Inf. 284 (1925), nom. superfl.; Rottboellia corymbosa subvar. pubescens (Benth.) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 66 (1960). T: Hooker's Ck, N.T., F.Mueller s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: MEL.
Thaumastochloa constricta S.T.Blake, Pap. Dept. Biol. Univ. Qld 1(18): 19 (1941). T: Croydon, Qld, 8 Aug. 1936, S.T.Blake 12460; holo: BRI; iso: K, L, NSW.
Illustrations: R. de Koning et al., op. cit. fig. 4 (1983); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 398 (1983).
Culms 12-30 cm tall; nodes 5-9 . Sheaths 1-3 cm long, pilose. Leaf lamina 2-9 cm long, 1.5-4 mm wide, linear, flat, pilose; peduncle c. 10 mm long, glabrous, erect, straight. Spikes homomorphous, with spikelets alternating in 2 rows, cylindrical to constricted, 1.5-3.5 cm long, 1-1.8 mm wide, 4-9-jointed; internodes 3-4 mm long. Articulation straight to oblique. Spikelet 2-3 mm long; lower glume ovate-oblong, flat or convex, smooth or weakly rugulose, 7-9-nerved; upper lemma 2-nerved. Anthers 0.75-1 mm long. Fig. 18J.
Low lying damp sandy places in open savanna forests and in disturbed places in northern W.A., N.T. and Qld, extending to New Guinea. Flowers Jan.--Aug. Map 159.
W.A.: 5 km N of Point Coulomb, Dampier Peninsular, K.F.Kenneally 5969 (PERTH). N.T.: Mitchebo Homestead, Mittibah Stn, J.R.Maconochie 2594 (BRI, CANB, K, MO, NSW, QRS). Qld: Nicholson Crossing at Doomagee, D.E.Symon 5022 (AD, BRI); halfway between Townsville and Rollingstone, S.T.Blake 15768 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB).
4. Thaumastochloa heteromorpha B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 3:90 (1989)
T: Cabbage Tree Creek, Lakefield Natl Park, Qld, 5 May 1987, J.R.Clarkson 6940 & B.K.Simon; holo: BRI; iso: K, L, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS.
Illustration: B.K.Simon, op. cit., figs 8 & 9 (1989).
Culms 20-55 cm tall; nodes 6-9 . Sheaths 0.8-1.5 cm long, pilose. Leaf lamina 1.5-8 cm long, 1-2 mm wide, linear, flat to involute, pilose; peduncle 10-20 mm long or 60-85 mm long, glabrous, erect to recurved to erect, straight. Spikes heteromorphous, with spikelets alternating in 2 rows or with spikelets ± in 1 row, cylindrical to constricted, 1-2 cm long, 1-1.5 mm or 0.5 mm wide, 5-6-jointed or 2-3-jointed; internodes 3 mm long or 4 mm long. Articulation straight or oblique. Spikelet 2.5-3 mm long; lower glume trianguar oblong, slightly convex, rugulose or smooth, obscurely 5-7-nerved; upper lemma 2-nerved. Fig. 18G-H.
Sandy soils of Eucalyptus savanna area in the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, Qld. Flowers Apr.--May. Map 160.
Qld: 3 km W of Peninsular Development road on track to Koolburra station, J.R.Clarkson 3146 (BRI, MBA, CANB); N of Chillagoe near Walsh., S.T.Blake 13604 (BRI, CANB); about 40 miles W of Mungana, S.T.Blake 3738 (BRI).
5. Thaumastochloa striata Sosef & de Koning, Gard. Bull. Singapore 36: 156 (1983)
T: 25 miles NNE of Maranboy Police Station, 3 Mar. 1965, M.Lazarides & L.Adams 10; holo: L (photo BRI); iso: BRI, CANB, DNA, E, K, NSW, US.
Illustration: R. de Koning et al., op. cit. fig. 6 (1983).
Culms 15-25 cm tall; nodes 5-8 . Sheaths 1.2-2.5 cm long, ± glabrous with densely hairy margins. Leaf lamina 2-6 cm long, 1.5-3.5 mm wide, linear, flat to involute, glabrous, hairy behind ligule and along margins; peduncle 4-18 mm long, glabrous, erect, straight. Spikes homomorphous, with spikelets slightly alternating in 1 row, cylidrical, 1.1-2 cm long, 0.6-1.5 mm wide, 1-3-jointed. Spikelet 3-4 mm long; lower glume trianguar oblong, slightly convex, grooved, 7-nerved; upper lemma 2-nerved. Anthers 1-1.7 mm long.
Sandy soil in open Eucalyptus tetradonta forest with Plectrachne pungens. The species is restricted to the type from northern N.T. Flowers Mar. Map. 161.
6. Thaumastochloa rariflora (Bailey) C.E.Hubb., Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 34, t. 3313: 14 (1936)
Rottboellia rariflora Bailey, Qld Dept. Agric. Bull. 8: 86 (1883); R. corymbosa subvar. rariflora (F.M.Bailey) Roberty, Boissiera 9: 66 (1960). T: Batavia R., Qld, H.Millman s.n.; lecto: BRI; isolecto: K (photo BRI).
[Ophiuros pubescens auct. non Domin, Hitchc., Brittonia 2: 128 (1936)]
Illustrations: C.E.Hubbard, loc. cit.; R. de Koning et al, op. cit. fig. 7b (1983).
Culms 10-60 cm tall; nodes 4-12 . Sheaths 0.8-2.2 cm long, pilose. Leaf lamina 2-10 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, linear, flat to involute, pilose, rarely glabrous; peduncle 0.5-3 mm long, glabrous, erect, straight to curved. Spikes homomorphous, with spikelets slightly alternating in 1 row, cylidrical, 0.35-0.9 cm long, 0.7-1 mm wide, 1-2-jointed; internodes 2.5-3 mm long. Articulation straight. Spikelet 2-3 mm long; lower glume ovate-oblong, slightly concave, smooth, 9-nerved. Anthers 0.5-0.8 mm long. Fig. 18L.
Sandy patches and clearings in savanna woodland in northern Qld (mainly Cape York), extending to southern New Guinea. Flowers Mar.--June and Sept.--Oct. Map 162.
Qld: Weipa, Andoom, A.Morton 601 (BRI, MEL, NSW); Somerset, F.M.Bailey 15 (BRI, K); Boyle Ck, Mareeba, McKee 9505 (BRI, NSW); 2.7 km WSW of Beagle North Camp, 37 km NNE of Aurukun, J.R.Clarkson 4350 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA); halfway between Townsville and Rollingstone, S.T.Blake 15767 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB, K, L).
7. Thaumastochloa brassii C.E.Hubb., Hooker’s, Icon. Pl. 34, t.3314: 3 (1936)
Rottboellia corymbosa subvar. brassii Roberty, Boissiera 9: 65 (1960). T: Settlement Ck, Qld, June 1923, L.J.Brass 370; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: BRI, CANB.
Illustrations: C.E.Hubbard, loc. cit.; R. de Koning et al, op. cit. fig. 7a (1983)
Culms 7-35 cm tall; nodes 10-16 . Sheaths 0.5-1.5 cm long, sparsely pilose to subglabrous. Leaf lamina 1-3 cm long, c. 3 mm wide, linear, flat to involute, sparsely pilose to subglabrous; peduncle 0.8-6 mm long, glabrous, slightly curved. Spikes homomorphous, with spikelets ± in 1 row, cylidrical, 0.3-0.8 cm long, 0.8-1 mm wide, 1-3-jointed; internodes 3-4 mm long. Articulation straight. Spikelet 2-2.7 mm long; lower glume oblong, flat, transversely rugulose, 7-nerved; upper lemma 2-nerved (at base). Anthers 0.6-0.7 mm long. Fig. 18I.
Wet sandy soils of savanna forest and heath of northern N.T. and Qld. Flowers Apr.--Oct. Map 163.
N.T.: Katherine Gorge Natl Park, C.Dunlop 3787 (BRI, CANB, DNA); McArthur R. area, L17 L.A.Craven 4103 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld: 1.3 km ESE of Arukun on road to Watson R., J.R.Clarkson 4511 (BRI, CANB, K, MBA, MO, NSW, PERTH, QRS); 80 m NW of Croydon, D.E.Symon 4926 (ADW, BRI, CANB, K); 3 mi W of Esmeralda Stn, M.Lazarides 4746 (BRI, CANB, MEL, NSW).
8. Thaumastochloa rubra Sosef & de Koning, Gard. Bull. Singapore 36: 157 (1983)
T: 16° 28'S, 134° 59'E, N.T., 4 May 1947, S.T.Blake 17636; holo: BRI; iso: CANB, K, L (photo BRI).
Illustration: R. de Koning et al, op. cit fig. 6b (1983).
Culms 45 cm tall; nodes 4-6. Sheaths 0.8-1.6 cm long, pilose. Leaf lamina 1.5-5 cm long, 1-2 mm wide, linear, flat to involute, pilose; peduncle 0.5-2 mm long, glabrous, erect, straight. Spikes homomorphous, with spikelets ± in 1 row, cylidrical, 0.9-2.7 cm long, 1-2-jointed; internodes 4-5 mm long. Articulation straight. Spikelet 3-4 mm long; lower glume trianguar oblong, flat or convex, grooved, 7-nerved; upper lemma 2-nerved. Anthers c. 1.1 mm long. Fig. 18K.
Sandy soils sometimes with Eucalyptus dichromophloia or E. tetradonta; a few localaties in northern N.T. Flowers May--June. Map 164.
N.T.: Elcho Is., P.A.Latz 6071B (CANB, DNA, L); 65 km NE of Pine Creek, C.Dunlop 4558 (CANB, DNA); Nabarlek, B.Rice 3102 (DNA); 12 m SW of Katherine, R.A.Perry 1974 (AD, BRI, CANB).
40. OPHIUROS
Ophiuros Gaertn., Fruct. 3: 3 (1805); from the Greek ophis (serpent) and oura (tail), alluding to the smooth spikes with the scale-like appressed lower glumes of the spikelets.
Type: O. corymbosus (L.f.) = O. exaltatus (L.) Kuntze
Compactly tufted, rhizomatous perennials, robust, erect from base. Leaf lamina narrowly lanceolate, attenuate; ligule a fringe of hairs, short. Inflorescence axillary or terminal fasciculate panicle of racemes with spikelets embedded in rachis, spatheate; racemes solitary with internodes and pedicels stout, thickened upwards. Spikelets reduced to sessile, lanceolate, dorsally compressed; callus truncate with a prominent central peg. Glumes very dissimilar; lower glume crustaceous, convex on back, with conspicuous rows of pits; upper glume membranous, convex on back. Lower male or bisexual; lemma and palea membranous. Upper floret bisexual; lemma membranous, entire; palea slighty shorter than lemma. Pedicelled spikelets suppressed, pedicels fused with rachis.
A genus of 4 species allopatric in north-eastern tropical Africa, India (two species) and India to south China and Australia.
C.A.Gardner, Ophiuros, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 310-312 (1952).
Ophiuros exaltatus (L.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl.2:780(1891)
Aegilops exaltata L. Mant. 2: 575 (1771); Rottboellia exaltata (L.) L.f., Nov. Gram. Gen. 23, 37 (1779); Rottboellia corymbosa L.f., Suppl. Pl. 114 (1781); Ophiuros corymbosus (L.f.) Gaertn., Fruct. 3: 4 (1805). T: India, C.Koenig 10; holo: LINN 1218.15 in LINN.
Ophiuros megaphyllus Stapf ex Haines, Bot. Bihar and Orissa 1058 (1924) T: India, Khasia, J.D.Hooker & T.Thomson s.n.; holo: K (photo BRI).
Rottboellia tongcalingii Elmer, Leafl. Philipp. Bot. 7: 2680 (1915); Ophiuros tongcalingii (Elmer) Henrard, Blumea 4: 520 (1941). T: Phillipines, Todaya, Mindanao, June 1909, A.E.E.Elmer 10984; holo: US (photo, BRI) ; iso: K.
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): t. 92A (1952); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 314 (1983) as O. megaphyllus.
Culms 200-250 cm tall. Leaf lamina to 60 cm long, 10-15 mm wide, linear, flat (convolute in bud), glabrous with margins sometimes spinulose; peduncle 10-70 mm long, glabrous, erect, straight to curved. Spikes with spikelets alternating in 2 rows, cylidrical, 2-10 cm long, 0.6-1.4 mm wide; internodes 2.5-3 mm long with articulation straight to slightly oblique. Spikelets oblong-vate, 2.5-3 long, c. 1.5 mm wide; lower glume ovate-oblong, slightly convex, firmly cartilaginous, glabrous, rugose, 5-nerved, 2-keeled; upper glume 3-nerved, ± equal to lower glume, ovate, glabrous, hyaline; upper lemma oblong. Canegrass. Fig. 16D-F.
Occurs from India and China to tropical Australia (northern W.A., N.T. and Qld) in seasonally wet grasslands and open savannas on heavy soils. Flowers Jan.--Oct. Map 165.
W.A.: Carlton Stn road, 29 km from Kunanurra, B.K.Simon 3693 & R.J.Petheram (BRI). N.T.: 8 mi SW of junction of Middle Ck with Douglas R., S.T.Blake 16252 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH); O.T. Downs Stn, S.T.Blake 17716 (BRI, CANB). Qld: Conjuboy-Mt. Garnett road, 6 km from Conjuboy, B.K.Simon 2715 & J.R.Clarkson (BRI, CANB, K); between Bajool and Archer, S.T.Blake 15524 & L.J.Webb (BRI, CANB, K, L).
41. CHIONACHNE
Chionachne R.Br., in J.J.Bennett & R.Brown, Pl. Ja. Rar. 15 (1838); from the Greek chion (snow) and achne (chaff) in allusion to the pale coloured glumes of some species.
Type: C. barbata (Roxb.) Benth.
Tall robust perennials or annuals with many noded culms. Leaf lamina cordate, linear-lanceolate, flat, the margins distinctly scabrid; ligule membranous and cilate. Inflorescence axillary and terminal, consisting of a basal spike of female spikelets and an apical raceme of male spikelets, subtended by a spathe which encloses it when young. Spikelets unisexual and monoecious. Male spikelets in pairs, each with 2 florets; glumes subequal, lower thicker and with more nerves; lemmas and paleas hyaline, stamens 3. Female spikelets solitary and sessile, closely appressed to rachis; glumes unequal, lower very thick, smooth and shining, the sides rounded and enclosing spikelet, upper smaller, almost flat; lower lemma acute; lower palea absent; upper lemma narrower and thinner; upper palea hyaline. Grain enclosed in the hard lower glume.
A genus of 7 species from India to Australia. Of the 2 Australian species one is endemic (tropical W.A., N.T. and Qld.) and the other extends to New Guinea. Both species provide useful fodder and their seeds form a major part of the diet of birds.
J. Th. Henrard, On a new Chionachne from Queensland, Blumea 3: 159-163 (1938); C.A.Gardner, Chionachne, Fl. W. Australia 1(1): 354-358 (1852).
Tall reed-like perennial; male (upper) portion of the inflorescence
as long as the female (lower) portion 1. C. cyathopoda
Annual, rarely perennial; male portion of the inflorescence much
shorter than the female portion 2. C. hubbardiana
1. Chionachne cyathopoda (F.Muell.) F.Muell. ex Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 516 (1878)
Sclerachne cyathopoda F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 116 (1873); Polytoca cyathpoda (F.Muell.) Bailey, Qld Fl. 6: 1849 (1902). T: Victoria R., N.T., F.Mueller s.n.; lecto: K (photo BRI); isolecto: MEL (photo BRI), fide J. Th. Henrard, Meded. Rijks. Herb. 67: 12 (1931).
Illustrations: J. Th. Henrard, op. cit. t. 2, fig. 3 (1931) as Polytoca cyathopoda; C.A.Gardner, op. cit. t. 103 (1952); J.C. Tothill & J.B. Hacker, Grasses S Queensland 152 (1983).
Tall, tufted reed-like perennial to 4 m tall, arising from a strong scaly rhizome. Culm single or sparingly branched from the upper nodes. Leaf-lamina 13-30 long, 1-3 cm, with distinct yellowish midrib and margins; ligule 1-1.5 mm wide, membranous and slightly hairy. Inflorescence to 12 cm long, with the male and female segments each occupying about half the rachis length. Male spikelets 12-13 mm long, c. 10; glumes equal in size and shape, 8-12 nerved, the lower with a marginal flap; lower lemma slightly shorter, 2-3 nerved; lower palea as long as lemma, 2-nerved; upper lemma and palea membranous, lemma nerveless, palea 2-nerved. Female spikelets c. 15 long, c. 4 mm wide, 6-8; lower glume many nerved, with clasping wings, obtuse; upper glume many nerved, acuminate; lower lemma 3-nerved; upper lemma faintly 1-nerved; upper palea membranous, faintly 2-nerved. River Grass. Fig. 19D.
New Guinea and tropical W.A., N.T. and Qld to subtropical Qld. Found on stream banks or wetter sites on sandy or loamy soils. Eaten to some extent by stock, although coarse. Flowers all year but mainly Feb.--July. Map 166.
W.A.: Noonkanbah, C.A.Gardner 7099 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Daly R., S.T.Blake 16495 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MO, PERTH); Victoria R. Crossing, N.B.Byrnes 732 (CANB, DNA). Qld: Richmond, S.T.Blake 6311 (AD, BRI, NSW); 16 km NW of Charters Towers, B.K.Simon 3446 (BRI, CANB, K).
2. Chionachne hubbardiana Henrard, Blumea 3: 162 (1938)
T: Sturts Creek, W.A., F.Mueller, s.n., here chosen: K (photo BRI); isolecto: MEL (photo BRI)
[Chionachne barbata auct. non (Roxb.) Benth.; Benth, Fl. Austral. 7: 515 (1878).]
[Coix barbata auct. non Roxb.; Benth, Fl. Austral. 7: 515 (1878), in synon.]
[Polytoca barbata auct. non (Roxb.) Stapf.; F.M.Bailey, Qld Fl. 1849 (1902).]
[Polytoca cyathopoda auct. non (F.Muell.) Bailey; K.Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 256 (1915).]
[Chionachne koenigii auct. non (Sprengel) Thwaites; J.Th.Henrard, Med. Rijks. Herb. 67: 15 (1931).]
[Chionachne sclerachne auct. non Bailey; J.Th.Henrard, Med. Rijks. Herb. 67: 17 (1931).]
Illustrations: J.Th.Henrard, op. cit. t. 4, fig. 3 (1931) as Chionachne sclerachne; J. Th. Henrard in Blumea 3: 160 (1938); R.J.Petheram & B.Kok, Plants Kimberley Region W. Australia, t. 24 (1983).
Erect annual to 60 cm tall, branched from the base and the upper nodes. Leaf-sheaths much shorter than the internodes, covered in deciduous tubercle-based hairs; leaf lamina 6-20 long, 0.6-1 cm; ligule to 2 cm, membranous, ciliate, lacerate with age. Inflorescence 3-4 cm long, with the female portion occupying at least 3/4 of the rachis length. Male spikelets 5-7 mm long, narrow, 3-4; glumes membranous, about 11-nerved, attenuate upwards similar in size and shape; lemma and paleas hyaline, few-nerved. Female spikelets 6-10 long, 5-6 mm wide, 3-6; lower glume very large and indurate, 2-keeled, the lower part rounded on the back, the upper part with wings, apex emarginate, margins enclosing the rachis axis; upper glume acuminate, 2-keeled. Lower floret with hyaline lemma and palea. Upper floret much reduced or absent. River Grass. Fig. 19A-D.
Endemic to tropical Australia (W.A., N.T. and Qld). Grows in the wetter areas of black soil plains when it may become a weed in irrigation channels. Good fodder in -the early stages. Flowers Nov.--June. Map 167.
W.A.:Turnoff to Kimberley Research Station, B.K.Simon 3700 & R.J.Petheram (BRI); N.T.: 8 miles SE. of Katherine, C.S.Robinson 44 (BRI, DNA); Rockhampton Downs, S.T.Blake 17848 (BRI, MEL, NSW). Qld: 4 miles NW. of McKinlay, M.Lazarides 4454 (AD, BRI, CANB, MEL, NSW, PERTH); Tranby, S.T.Blake 11432 (BRI, NSW).