ERIOCHLOA
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Eriochloa Kunth, in F.W.H.A.Humboldt et al., Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 94 (1816); from the Greek erion (wool) and chloa (grass), referring to the hairy spikelets and pedicels.
Type: E. distachya Kunth.
Annual or perennial, rarely rhizomatous. Flowering culms erect or decumbent; nodes glabrous or pubescent. Leaves glabrous or hairy; ligule a fringe of hairs; blades flat to involute. Inflorescence a panicle, exserted or not fully exserted at maturity; primary branches simple. Spikelets with disarticulation at the base of the spikelet, adaxial, dorsally compressed, lanceolate to elliptic. Glumes 2, ± equal or very unequal, rounded on the back; lower glume usually reduced to a cup-like ring at spikelet base; upper glume lanceolate to elliptic, 5 nerved, hairy or glabrous, acuminate to acute, muticous to awned. Lower floret male or sterile; lemma membranous, 5 nerved, with apex acuminate to acute, muticous to awned; palea present or absent. Upper floret bisexual; lemma yellow, decidedly firmer than glumes, indurate, apically rounded to acute, muticous to awned; palea indurate, transversely rugose. Hilum short.
A genus of 30 species throughout the tropics and subtropics with 6 species native to and 2 species introduced to Australia, 1 naturalised. Some species provide forage in native pastures. The genus is unique for all species except E. meyeriana in that the lower glume is reduced and modified to form a cup-like structure surrounding the base of the spikelet. This structure is fused towards the base to the rachilla, which is well developed between the glumes. In E. meyeriana the lower glume is a short membrane to 0.5 mm long.
JoyceW.Vickery, Eriochloa in R.H.Anderson, Flora of New South Wales 19 (1): 76–81 (1961); R.B.Shaw and R.D.Webster, The genus Eriochloa (Poaceae: Paniceae) in North and Central America. Sida 12: 165–207 (1987); R.D.Webster, Eriochloa in Austral. Paniceae 89–94 (1987); R.A.JThompson, R.J.Tyrl & J.P.Estes, Comparative anatomy of the spikelet callus of Eriochloa, Brachiaria and Urochloa (Paneae: Paniceae:Setariinae). Amer.J. Bot. 77:1463–1468 (1990); W.J.Crins, Eriochloa in The genera of Paniceae (Gramineae: Panicoideae) in the Southeastern United States, 272-277 (1991).
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1 Lower glume a membrane to 0.5 mm long |
1.*E. meyeriana |
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1: Lower glume reduced to a cup‑like ring at spikelet base |
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2 Spikelets with apices drawn out into bristles |
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3 Spikelets at least 5.7 mm long |
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4 Spikelets 9.5-14 mm long (including bristle) |
2. E. longiflora |
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4: Spikelets 5.7‑8.5 mm long; |
3. E. australiensis |
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3: Spikelets less than 6 mm long |
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5 Spikelets 3.6-5.4 mm long; usually perennial |
4. E. pseudoacrotricha |
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5: Spikelets 2.7-3.6 mm long; annual |
5. E. fatmensis |
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2: Spikelets with apices acute to acuminate |
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6 Tufted annuals or perennials; racemes simple |
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5 Spikelets lightly overlapping on racemes, 3.9‑5.5 mm long |
6. E. crebra |
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5: Spikelets ± loose on racemes, 3‑3.8 mm long |
7. E. procera |
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6: Stoloniferous perennial; racemes secondarily branched |
+E. polystachya |
1. *Eriochloa meyeriana (Nees) Pilger, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 2nd edn, 14e: 56 (1940)
Panicum meyerianum Nees, Fl. Afr. Austral. Ill. 1:32 (1841). T: Omsamculo, South Africa, Drege; iso: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations: G.E.Gibbs Russell, Grasses of Southern Africa 164, fig.93 (1990); S. Phillips in I. Hedberg & S. Edwards, Poaceae: Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea, 219, fig. 90 (1995); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Perennial. Flowering culms erect, 30–200 cm tall, 2–4 noded. Leaves; ligule c.1 mm long; blades 5–25 cm long, 3–15 mm wide. Inflorescence 15–20 cm long; primary branches 3–6 cm long. Spikelets 20–30 on a typical lowermost primary branch, elliptic, 2.3–3.5 mm long, 1–1.2 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume a membrane to 0.5 mm long; upper glume 2.3–3.5 mm long, elliptic, glabrous, acute, muticous. Lower floret male; lemma 2.3–3.5 mm long, with apex acute; palea present. Upper floret; lemma 1.5–2.2 mm long, very finely transversely rugose, muticous. Meyer's Cupgrass.
Introduced (from tropical Africa); a few records from central and S.E. Qld. Flowering sporadically throughout the year. Map 1094.
Qld: Burnside Stud, Ingham, Oct. 1968, F.B.Bosworth s.n. (BRI); Wilsons Ck, Lisgar HS, P.Anning A747 ((BRI); Nairana, via Clermont, Jun 1988, E. Burnett s.n. (BRI); Granite Vale, near St. Lawrence, Jan 1968, J.Wildin s.n. (BRI); Montville, Apr 1982, P.A.Jackson s.n. (BRI).
This is the only species of Eriochloa in which the lower glume extends to a membrane beyond a cup-like ring at the base of the spikelet.
2. Eriochloa longiflora S.T. Blake, Univ. Queensland Dept. Biol. Pap. 1: 18 (1941)
T: Birdsville, S.T.Blake 12243; holo: BRI; iso: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations: D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Annual. Flowering culms erect or decumbent, 15–30 cm tall, 2–4 noded. Leaves; ligule 1 mm long; blades 2–7 cm long, 5–7 mm wide. Inflorescence 6–16 cm long. Primary branches 2–4 cm long. Spikelets 15–30 on a typical lowermost primary branch, lanceolate, 9.5–14 mm long, 1.6–1.8 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume reduced to a cup-like ring at spikelet base; upper glumes 9.5–14 mm long, lanceolate, hairy, setose, acuminate, awned, awn 3–6 mm long. Lower floret sterile; lemma 9.5–14 mm long, setaceous, with apex acuminate; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma 2.9–3 mm long, coarsely transversely rugose, awned; awn 0.7–1 mm long; anthers 1.2–1.3 mm long. Australian Cupgrass.
Endemic; arid parts of N.T., S.A., Qld and N.S.W. Flowering mainly Dec. to May. Map 1092.
N.T. Charlotte Waters, May 1939, R.L.Crocker s.n. (BRI). S.A.: Cooper's Ck, ferry crossing, L.D.Williams 6234 (AD, BRI). Qld: 13 km SE of Nappa Merie, R.Fairfax 1265 & J.Kemp (BRI, CANB); Mt. Howitt, S.T.Blake 11983 (BRI). N.S.W. Euabalong, May 1906, J.L.Boorman (BRI, NSW).
This species has been placed in synonymy with E. australiensis by some authors, but both names can be applied to two distinct species, differing in spikelet size, with E. longiflora 9.5 – 14 mm long and E. australiensis 6–9.4 mm long.
3. Eriochloa australiensis Stapf ex Thell., Vierteljahrsschr. Naturf. Ges. Zürich 64: 697 (1919)
T: Moree Experimental Farm, N.S.W., Apr. 1906, W.R.Fry; holo: ?Z , n.v.; iso: ?K, n.v.
Illustrations: J.P.Jessop in J.P.Jessop & H.R.Toelken (eds), Fl. S. Australia 4th edn., 4: 1967, fig. 897B (1986);; D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002); J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst & F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia 452, fig.383 (2006)..
Annual. Flowering culms erect, 40–70 cm tall, 2–5 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.7–1.3 mm long; blades 6–17 cm long, 3–7 mm wide. Inflorescence 7–16 cm long. Primary branches 2.5–5 cm long, 0.45–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 18–40 on a typical lowermost primary branch, lanceolate, 5.7–8.5 mm long, 1.1–1.5 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume reduced to a cup-like ring at spikelet base; upper glumes 6–9.4 mm long, lanceolate, hairy, setose, acuminate, mucronate to awned (shortly), awn 1–4 mm long. Lower floret sterile; lemma 5–7 mm long, setaceous, with apex long acuminate; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma 2.1–2.7 mm long, coarsely transversely rugose, elliptic, apically rounded, awned; awn 0.5–0.6 mm long; anthers 1.3–1.5 mm long. Australian Cupgrass, Cupgrass, Spring Grass.
Endemic; occurs in the arid and semi-arid regions of all mainland States. Arid and semi-arid low woodlands, shrub steppe shrublands, acacia shrublands, arid tussock grasslands, and arid hummock grasslands. Flowering mostly Feb. to July. Map 1091.
W.A.: Long Springs, 66 km ENE of Carlton Hill HS, M. Lazarides 8482 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Sixteen Mile Creek, 18 miles N of Alice Springs, D.J.Nelson 2076 (BRI, DNA); S.A.: Innaminka Bore Road, 70 km S of Innaminka, P.E.Conrick 2375 (AD, BRI); Qld: 3.5km SE of Hyde Park Homestead, E.J.Thompson BUC787 & B.K.Simon; 25 miles NW of McKinlay township, M.Lazarides 4420 (BRI, CANB); N.S.W.: approx. 35 km NW of Milparinka, S.W.Jacobs 3509 (BRI, NSW).
This species has been circumscribed to include E. longiflora by some authors, but these names can be applied to two distinct species, as discussed under E. australiensis, on the basis of spikelet length. E. australiensis has spikelets 6–9.4 mm long and E. longiflora has spikelets 9.5 – 14 mm long.
4. Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha (Stapf ex Thell.) S.T. Blake, Fl. S. Australia 2nd edn, 1: 68 (1943) as pseudo-acrotricha
E. annulata var. acrotricha Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 463 (1878). T: Camden County, Woolls s.n., 1877; lecto (here chosen): K (photo BRI).
E. ramosa var. pseudoacrotricha Thell., Vierteljahrsschr. Naturf. Ges. Zürich 64: 697 (1919), nom. nud.; E ramosa var. pseudoacrotricha Stapf, Mitt. Naturf. Ges. Solothurm 6: 16 (1920), nom. superfl.; E. pseudoacrotricha (Thell.) C.E.Hubb. ex S.T.Blake, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Australia 67: 43 (1943), nom. superfl. T: An der gleichen Fudstelle seit 1906 alljahrlich, 1917, Probst s.n.; syn:K (photo BRI); Aellen s.n.; syn: K , n.v. .
Eriochloa acrotricha var. australiensis Domin, Bibl. Bot. 85: 290 (1915). T: Queenslandi bei Barcaldine, Mar. 1910, K.Domin s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI).
[Eriochloa acrotricha auct. non. (Hook.f.) Schinz.].
[Eriochloa punctata sensu Bentham non Hamilt.].
[Eriochloa punctata sensu Domin, non Hamilt.].
Illustrations: N.G.Walsh in N.G.Walsh & T.J.Entwisle (eds), Fl. Victoria 2: 598, fig. 12ih-i (1994); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002); J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst & F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia 454, fig.386 (2006).
Usually perennial. Flowering culms erect, 30–100 cm tall, 2–5 noded; nodes hairy (pubescent) or glabrous. Leaves; ligule 0.6–1 mm long; blades 7–24 cm long, 1.5–7 mm wide. Inflorescence 5–18 cm long. Primary branches 3–6 cm long, 0.4–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 16–50 on a typical lowermost primary branch, lanceolate to elliptic, 3.6-5.4 1.1–1.4 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume reduced to a cup-like ring at spikelet base; upper glumes 3.7–5.2 mm long, lanceolate, hairy, setose, acuminate, mucronate to awned (shortly), awn 0.6–1.5 mm long. Lower floret sterile; lemma 3.7–5.2 mm long, setaceous, with apex acuminate; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma 2.3–2.7 mm long, coarsely transversely rugose, apically rounded, awned; awn 0.45–0.8 mm long; anthers 1 mm long. Spring Grass, Early Spring Grass, Cup Grass, Perennial Cupgrass.
Endemic; a widespread native species in all parts of mainland Australia. Tropical and subtropical rain forests, temperate wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, semi-arid shrub woodlands, shrub steppe shrublands, acacia shrublands, arid tussock grasslands, and arid hummock grasslands. Flowering throughout the year. Map 1093.
W.A.: 33 km from Minnie Ck Stn on road to Edmund Stn, B.K.Simon 3746 & J.K.Stretch (BRI, K, PERTH). N.T.: Ormiston Gorge, A.C.Beauglehole 45259 & G.W.Carr (BRI, CANB, DNA). S.A.: Eyre Peninsula, Tumby Bay, D.E.Symon 13509 (AAU, BRI, K, US). Qld: Biddenham, S.L.Everist 3783 (BRI). N.S.W.: Emerton, R.Coveny 16404 (B, BRI, G, K, NSW, PRE, S, UTC, US). Vic: Red Cliffs, A.C.Beauglehole 3096 (BRI, MEL).
E. pseudoacrotricha differs from E. australiensis by the longer spikelets and by its usually perennial habit.
5. Eriochloa fatmensis (Hochst. & Steud.) Clayton, Kew Bull. 30: 108 (1975)
Panicum fatmense Hochst. & Steud. in sched., Schimper It. Un. :806 (1837). Eriochloa annulata var. acrotricha T: Saudi Arabia, Mecca: Schimper 806; iso: K (photo BRI).
Eriochloa decumbens F.M.Bailey, Queensland Agric. J. 1: 234 (1897); Eriochloa acrotricha var. decumbens (F.M.Bailey) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 290 (1915). T: Hammond Is., Torres Strait, 1897, F.M.Bailey n.v.; holo: BRI.
Illustrations: F.M.Bailey, Compr. Cat. Queensland Pl. 607, fig. 584 (1909) as E. decumbens; D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002) as E. decumbens; Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K.M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 512 (2003).
Decumbent annual. Flowering culms decumbent, 20–100 cm tall, 5–10 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.4–0.7 mm long; blades 4–20 cm long, 2–7 mm wide. Inflorescence 3–6 cm long. Primary branches 1.9–5 cm long, 0.35–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 10–40 on a typical lowermost primary branch, lanceolate to elliptic, 2.7-3.6 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume reduced to a cup-like ring at spikelet base; upper glumes 2.7–3.3 mm long, elliptic, hairy, velutinous, acuminate or acute, mucronate, awn 0.4–0.6 mm long. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.5–3.2 mm long, velutinous, with apex acuminate; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma 1.8–2 mm long, finely transversely rugose, acute to acuminate, awned; awn 0.25–0.45 mm long; anthers 0.85–1 mm long. Cup Grass.
Native; mostly coastal tropical W.A, N.T. and Qld, with a few inland records. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, coastal grasslands, and tropical sub-humid grasslands. Flowering mostly Jan. to May. Map 1097.
W.A.: 56 km w of Derby, A.A.Mitchell 4330 (BRI, PERTH). N.T. Elcho Is., P.K.Latz 6224 (BRI, CANB). Qld: Nifold Plains, Lakefeld N.P. J.R.Clarkson 7053 & B.K.Simon (BRI, MBA, NSW, QRS); Walkers Bend on Flinders R, B.K.Simon 3035 & T.Farrell (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); near Wandoan, C.E.Hubbard 4956 (BRI, K).
Eriochloa fatmensis is morphologically similar to E. procera, having a decumbent habit. It differs by the upper glume being shortly awned as opposed to acute to acuminate.
6. Eriochloa crebra S.T. Blake, Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland 59: 156 (1948).
T: N of Ilfracombe, Qld, 3rd May 1936, S.T.Blake 11358; holo: BRI.
Illustrations: S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 454 (1993); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002); J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst & F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia 453, fig.384 (2006).
Perennial. Flowering culms erect, 35–90 cm tall, 3–5 noded; nodes hairy (puberulent) or glabrous. Leaves; ligule 0.6–1 mm long; blades 4–20 cm long, 3–7 mm wide. Inflorescence 9–15 cm long. Primary branches 3.5–4.5 cm long, 0.4–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 25–42 on a typical lowermost primary branch, lanceolate to ovate, 3.9–5.5 mm long, 1–1.3 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume reduced to a cup-like ring at spikelet base; upper glumes 3.7-5 mm long, lanceolate to ovate, hairy, setose to velutinous, acute, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 3.9–5.5 mm long, setaceous, with apex acuminate to acute; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma 2–2.5 mm long, finely transversely rugose, the apex not differentiated into a membranous green point, acute to acuminate, mucronate; awn 0.4–0.6 mm long (antrosely scabrous). Cup Grass.
Endemic; occurs over a wide geographical area of mainland Australia. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, semi-arid shrub woodlands, arid and semi-arid low woodlands, shrub steppe shrublands, acacia shrublands, and arid tussock grasslands. Flowering Feb. to June. Map 1095.
W.A.: About 105 km NE of Kununurra on coastal track from Brolga Springs to Legune, A.A. Mitchell 4029 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Mataranka Homestead Resort, C.R.Dunlop 2135 (BRI, CANB). S.A.: Callyamurra Waterhole, J.Reid 1425 (AD, BRI); Qld: Darling Downs, between Chinchilla and Condamine, M.G.Lithgow 609 (BRI); 12 miles [19.3 km] E of Hughenden, M.Lazarides 3603 (BRI, CANB). N.S.W.: 55 km NW of Tiboobura, K.Paijmans 3122 (CANB). Vic: Lake Wallawalla Area, J.H.Browne 563 (BRI, MEL).
Differs from E. procera by the larger spikelets more than 3.75 mm long. Some specimens indicate hybridization with E. pseudoacrotricha. It is regarded as a good forage grass.
7. Eriochloa procera (Retz.) C.E. Hubb., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1930: 256 (1930)
Agrostis procera Retz., Observ. Bot. 4: 19 (1786). T: Malabar, India, J.König; holo: LD (photo BRI).
Milium ramosum Retz., Observ. Bot. 6: 22 (1791); Eriochloa ramosa (Retz.) Kuntze, Révis. Gen. Pl. 2: 775 (1891). T: India, coll. unknown; holo: LD (photo BRI).
Eriochloa ramosa var. gigantea Domin, Bibl. Bot. 85: 290 (1915). T: West side of South Percy Island, Qld, low lying sandy flat, H. Tryon s.n.; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Eriochloa punctata var. leiorhachis Domin, Bibl. Bot. 85: 289 (1915). T: Queensland, Rolling Downs near Hughenden, K.Domin s.n., Feb. 1910; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Paspalum annulatum Fluegge, Gram. Monog. 133 (1810); Eriochloa annulata (Flugge) Kunth, Rev. Gram. i. 30 (1829). T: Trinius 0545.05a , In.v. holo: LE
Illustrations: I.D.Cowie, P.S.Short & M.Osterkamp Madsen, Floodplain Flora 294, Fig 73 (2000); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002); J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst & F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia 453, fig.385 (2006)..
Annual or perennial (slender). Flowering culms erect, 30–120 cm tall, 2–5 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.7–1.2 mm long; blades 8–40 cm long, 3–8 mm wide. Inflorescence 10–20 cm long. Primary branches 2.5–6 cm long, 0.4–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 20–50 on a typical lowermost primary branch, lanceolate, 3–3.8 mm long, 1–1.2 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume reduced to a cup-like ring at spikelet base; upper glumes 2.8–3.7 mm long, elliptic, hairy, velutinous, acute, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.8–3.8 mm long, velutinous, with apex acute; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma 1.7–2.2 mm long, finely transversely rugose, acute to acuminate, awned; awn 0.2–0.4 mm long; anthers 1.3–1.5 mm long.. Spring Grass, Cup Grass.
Native; tropics and subtropics of mainline States excluding Vic. Tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, temperate sub-humid woodlands, semi-arid shrub woodlands, and coastal grasslands. Flowering sporadically throughout the year. Map 1096.
W.A.: ca 8km N of Ethel Creek HS, A.A.Mitchell PRP450 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Melville Is, I.Cowie 2514 & R.Fensham (BRI, DNA). S.A.: LE (Jessop et al 2006) Qld: Marathon Stn, w of Hughenden, C.E.Hubbard 7759 (BRI, K); 10 miles [16 km] E of Nulla Nulla, M.Lazarides 4614 (BRI, CANB). N.S.W.: Moore Park, 1 miles north of Old Grevillia, R.Coveny 5131 (BRI, NSW).
Eriochloa procera is native to Australia, but is not as widely distributed as previously believed. The species is also native to Asia and Africa, where specimens have an acute to acuminate spikelet apex. The species superficially resembles E. procera, differing in its aristate apex.
ALLOTEROPSIS
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Alloteropsis J.Presl., In C.B.Presl. Reliq. Haenk. 1: 343 (1830), emend. A.S.Hitchcock, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 12: 210 (1909); from Greek allotrios (foreign) and opsis (appearance).
Type: A. distachya J.Presl = A. semialata (R.Br.) Hitchc.
Coridochloa Nees in R.Wight & G.A.W.Arnott, Edinburgh. New Philos. J. 15: 381 (1833). T: C. cimicinum (L.) Chase = A. cimicina (L.) Stapf
Bluffia Nees in J.G.C.Lehmann, Sem. Hort. Bot. Hamburg. 8 (1833). T: B. eckloniana Nees = A. semialata (R.Br.) Hitchc.
Annual or perennial, rhizomatous or without rhizomes. Flowering culms erect or decumbent, 2–5 noded; nodes hairy (bearded). Leaves; ligule a fringed membrane or a fringe of hairs; blades flat or conduplicate or involute. Plants with hermaphrodite florets. Inflorescence a panicle, exserted at maturity. Lowermost inflorescence node scabrous to hairy. Spikelets with disarticulation at the base of the spikelet, abaxial, dorsally compressed, lanceolate. Glumes 2, very unequal, rounded on the back. Lower glume ovate to lanceolate, 3–5 nerved, glabrous; upper glumes lanceolate to ovate, 5 nerved, glabrous, acuminate to acute, muticous to awned. Lower floret male; lemma chartaceous, with a hyaline area at the base, 5 nerved, with apex acute; palea vestigial. Upper floret; lemma yellow, chartaceous, smooth to uniformly striate, lanceolate, the apex not differentiated into a membranous green point, awned; palea cartilaginous, smooth to uniformily striate. Hilum short.
A genus of c. 5 species native to the Old World tropics; 2 are native in Australia. One species A. semialata has non-Kranz and Kranz races which cannot be distinguished with certainly from their external morphology. This situation, however, only occurs in Africa, whereas in Australia where only the Kranz form occurs.
D.K.Hughes, Alloteropsis in The genus Panicum of the Flora Australiensis, Bull.Misc.Inform. Kew 9: 307–308 (1928); Joyce W.Vickery, Alloteropsis in R.H.Anderson, Flora of New South Wales 19 (1): 81–82 (1961); F.Butzin, Remarks on the size and morphology of the panicoid genus Alloteropsis, Willdenowia 5:123–143 (1968); R.P.Ellis, The significance of the occurrence of both Kranz and non-Kranz leaf anatomy in the grass species Alloteropsis semialata, South African J. Sci. 70: 169–173 (1974); G.E.Gibbs Russell, The taxonomic position of C3 and C4 Alloteropsis semialata (Poaceae) in southern Africa, Bothalia 14: 205–213 (1983); R.D.Webster, Alloteropsis in Austral. Paniceae 7–9 (1987); W.J.Crins, Alloteropsis in The genera of Paniceae (Gramineae: Panicoideae) in the Southestern United States, 262-264 (1991)
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Annual; spikelets 3‑4 mm long |
1. A. cimicina |
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Perennial; spikelets c. 6 mm long |
2. A. semialata |
1. Alloteropsis cimicina (L.) Stapf, In D.Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 487 (1919)
Milium cimicinum L., Mant. Pl. 2: 184 (1771); Panicum cimicinum (L.) Retz., Observ. Bot. 3: 9 (1783); Axonopus cimicinus (L.) P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 12 (1812); Urochloa cimicina (L.) Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1: 31 (1829). T: India, J.König; holo: LINN.
Axonopus maidenianus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 325 (1915). T: Chillagoe District, Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin [1291, 1292, 1293, 1294, 1295]; holo: PR (photos BRI).
Illustrations: K.Domin, op. cit. fig.75 (1915), as Axonopus madenianus; W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize in R.M.Polhill, Flora of Tropical East Africa Gramineae, Part 3, fig. 144 (1982); Linda A.Vorobik in M.E.Barkworth, K.M.Capels, S.Long & M.B.Piep (eds.) Flora of North America North of Mexico 25: 386 (2003).
Annual, without rhizomes. Flowering culms decumbent to erect, 15–120 cm tall. Leaves; ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.7–1.8 mm long; blades 1.5–10 cm long, 4–15 mm wide. Inflorescence to 22 cm long. Primary branches 5–17 cm long, 0.3–0.5 cm wide. Spikelets 9–45 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 3–5 mm long, 1.4–1.6 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 2.3–3.1 mm long, 3 nerved (anastomosing apically); upper glumes 3.4–5 mm long, acuminate, muticous to mucronate. Lower floret; lemma 2.4–3.4 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 2.4–5 mm long, acute to acuminate; awn 2.3–3.1 mm long; anthers 1.5–1.7 mm long.
Native; occurs throughout the tropics of the Old World. In Australia tropical N.T. and Qld. Tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands and coastal grasslands. Flowering mostly Jan. to May. Map 1098.
N.T.: Inner Litchfield Ck, Jan 1958, S.J.Davies s.n. (BRI); 35 miles N of Anthony Lagoon, S.T.Blake 17782 (BRI, CANB). Qld.: 9 km from Walsh R on road to Wrotham Park, B.K.Simon 3574 & J.R.Clarkson (BRI, CANB, MBA); Albion Vale, 60 km N of Aramac, D.Kent 45 (BRI, NSW); Oakvale, Mar.1955, C.F.Rich (BRI).
Alloteropsis cimicina can be distinguished from A. semialata by the annual habit and much smaller spikelets. It has little or no economic importance and the presence of coumarin, an aromatic substance, makes it a poor fodder species. An annual weed and fodder grass.
2. Alloteropsis semialata (R.Br.) Hitchc., Contr. U.S. Natl Herb. 12: 210 (1909)
Panicum semialatum R.Br., Prodr. 192 (1810); Urochloa semialata (R.Br.) Kunth, Révis. Gramin. 1: 31 (1829); Oplismenus semialatus (R.Br.) Desv., Mem. Soc. Agric. Angers 1: 185 (1831); Coridochloa semialata (R.Br.) Nees, Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 2: 97 (1850); Axonopus semialatus (R.Br.) J.D.Hook., Fl. Brit. India 7: 64 (1896); Paspalum semialatum (R.Br.) Dalla Torre & Harms ex Eyles, as semialatus, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa 5: 299 (1916). T: Gulf of Carpentaria, R.Brown Iter Australiense 6101; holo: BM (photo BRI); iso: K (photo BRI).
Bluffia eckloniana Nees in J.G.C.Lehmann, Sem. Hort. Bot. Hamburg 1833: 8 (1833); Alloteropsis eckloniana (Nees) Hitchc., Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 29: 128 (1916); A. semialata var. eckloniana (Nees) C.E.Hubb. ex N.L.Bor, Grasses Burma, Ceylon, India, Pakistan 1: 277 (1960). T: South Africa, Drege; isosyn: K (photo BRI).
Arundinella schultzii Benth., Flora Australiensis 7: 545 (1878). T: [Port] Darwin, M.Schultz 31; holo: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations: N.T.Burbidge, Austral. Grasses 3: 195 (1970); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland 88 (1983); T.D.Stanley in T.D.Stanley & E.M.Ross, Fl. SE Queensland 3: 235, fig. 37E (1989).
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms erect, 30–120 cm tall. Leaves not distinctly distichous (the leaves are crowded at the base and become distant upwards); ligule a fringed membrane or a fringe of hairs, 0.4–0.6 mm long; blades 10–35 cm long, 2–7 mm wide. Inflorescence to 22 cm long. Primary branches 5–32 cm long, 0.4–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 31–110 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 5–7 mm long, 1.5–1.8 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 2.4–4.1 mm long, 3–5 nerved; upper glumes 5–7 mm long, lanceolate (occasionally with a pronounced wing), acuminate to acute, mucronate to awned. Lower floret; lemma 5–7 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 4.6–5.3 mm long, acute; awn 1.5–2.5 mm long; anthers 2.2–3 mm long. Cockatoo Grass.
Native; occurs throughout the tropics of the Old World. Common throughout the tropics and subtropics of Australia from the Kimberley, W.A. to northern N.S.W. Tropical and subtropical rain forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, arid and semi-arid low woodlands, and coastal grasslands. Flowering mostly Dec. to May. Map 1099.
W.A.: Mitchell Plateau, J.Petheram & E.Bartlett-Torr 551 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: Delissaville, Cox's Peninsular, R.L.Specht (BRI, CANB); Gove, G.Whiteman 4277 (BRI, CANB, DNA). Qld.: 40 km NE of Aurukun, J.R.Clarkson 4070 (BRI, QRS); N.S.W. 12 km NNE of Liston, A.R.Bean 21960 (BRI).
Extremely variable in the size and shape of the inflorescence and vegetative parts. On some specimens the area from the last lateral nerve and the margin reflexes outward and produces a distinctly winged spikelet. Ellis (1974) found both the Kranz and non-Kranz leaf anatomy in this species and discussed the significance of this unique situation. Gibbs Russell (1983), working with African material, correlated certain leaf characteristics with leaf anatomy and recognized a subspecies, A. semialata subsp. eckloniana (Nees) Gibbs Russell for the C3 specimens. Furthermore the C3 African forms were found to have a chromosome number of 2n=18, whereas the C4 form have a number of 2n=54 (Frean & Marks, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 97: 255—259 (1988)). Australian material is reported to be C4 (Prendergast & Hattersley, Australian Journal of Botany 35: 355-382 (1987)) but the chromosome number is unknown.
A decreaser species, palatable and nutritious except when dry; valuable early-season species; seeds heavily.
OTTOCHLOA
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Ottochloa Dandy, J. Bot. 69: 54 (1931), nom.nov.; named for Otto Stapf, distinguished agrostologist.
Type: O. nodosa (Kunth) Dandy.
Hemigymnia Stapf in D.Prain, Fl. Trop. Africa 9: 741 (1920), non. Griff. (1843). T: not designated.
Annual to perennial (short-lived), stoloniferous or without stolons. Flowering culms decumbent, 5–10 noded. Leaves; ligule a fringed membrane; blades flat (sometimes reflexed). Plants with hermaphrodite florets. Inflorescence a panicle (rarely reduced to a raceme), exserted at maturity. Lowermost inflorescence node smooth to scabrous. Spikelets with disarticulation at the base of the spikelet, abaxial, dorsally compressed, elliptic. Glumes 2, glabrous, ± equal or very unequal, rounded on the back. Lower glume ovate to lanceolate; upper glumes acute to rounded, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma membranous, 7 nerved, strigose, with apex acute; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma yellow (occasionally turning purple at maturity), cartilaginous to indurate, muricate, elliptic, apically rounded to acute, mucronate; palea cartilaginous to indurate, muricate. Hilum short..
A tropical genus of 5 species with 1 in Africa, 3 in Asia and 2 native in Australia. Diagnostic features include the relatively short upper glume and mucronate apex of the upper lemma. Additional important characters include the decumbent habit and muricate upper floret.
Joyce W.Vickery, Ottochloa in Tindale, M.D., Flora of New South Wales No 19. Gramineae, Part 2, 137–138 (1975); M.Lazarides, The genus Ottochloa Dandy (Gramineae) in Australia and its relationship to Ichnanthus oblongus Hughes, Austral. J. Bot. 9: 209–215 (1961); R.D.Webster, Eriochloa in Austral. Paniceae 115–118 (1987).
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Spikelets 2.5-3.6 mm long; leaf blades 10–20 mm wide; culms spongy and decumbent |
1. O. nodosa |
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Spikelets 1.7-2.3 mm long; 4–5 mm wide; culms firm and rambling |
2. O. gracillima |
1. Ottochloa nodosa (Kunth) Dandy, J. Bot. 69: 55 (1931)
Panicum multinode K.Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1: 303 (1830), non Lam. (1798); P. nodosum Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1: 97 (1833). T: Sorzogon, Luzon, Philippines; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: US, .
Panicum aequabile Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 297 (1915). T: Waterfall Ck bei Yarraba, Qld, Jan. 1910, K.Domin [1051, 1053, 1055]; holo: PR (photo BRI).
Panicum trachyrhachis Benth. var. tenuius Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 490 (1878), as tenuior; Ichnanthus oblongus Hughes, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1923: 328 (1923). T: Percy Is., Qld, Cunningham; lecto: K (photo BRI) , fide D.K.Hughes, Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information 1923(9): 329 (1923).
Illustrations: H.B.Gilliland, in Burkhill, H.M., Grasses of Malaya, Fig 27 (1971); Hsu, Fl. Taiwan 5: 566, pl. 1434. (1978); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Flowering culms 20–70 cm tall. Leaves; ligule 0.2–0.6 mm long; blades 1.5–20 cm long, 10-20 mm wide. Inflorescence 3–12 cm long. Primary branches 1.5–9 cm long, 0.1–0.5 cm wide. Spikelets 3–30 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 2.5–3.6 mm long, 0.8–1.1 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume not reduced to a cup-like ring, 1.2–2.1 mm long, ovate to lanceolate, 3–5 nerved; upper glumes 1.5–2.4 mm long, lanceolate to ovate, 5–7 nerved, acute to rounded. Lower floret; lemma 2.5–3.6 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 2.4–3.5 mm long, 5 nerved; palea cartilaginous to indurate, irregularily striate to muricate.
Endemic; a widespread species native to the tropics of Africa, Asia (India to Indo-China, Malaysia, the Philippines) and Australia. Also in New Caledonia. It occurs in shaded areas of tropical forests and woodlands of eastern Qld. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Jan. to May. Map 1100.
Qld: Cockatoo Ck, NW of Heathlands, S.W.L.Jacobs 6268 (BRI, NSW, MBA, US); Atherton Township, M.Lazarides 4230 (BRI, CANB); Clarke Ra, rd to Mt McCartney 12 Km from Cathu F.S., B.K.Simon 3366 (BRI, CANB, K, PRE); Many Peaks Ra, 2 km w of headwaters of East Boyne R., E.J.Thompson CAL102, G.P.Turpin, P.I.Forster (BRI, CANB, NSW). Coolum Mt., P.R.Sharpe 3123 (BRI, NSW, K).
Distinguished from O. gracillima by having longer spikelets, wider leaf blades and spongy culms, although intermediates with this species are rarely found.
2. Ottochloa gracillima C.E. Hubb., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1934: 445 (1934)
T: Moggill, Qld, C.E.Hubbard 8600; holo: K (photo BRI); iso: BRI, CANB, MEL.
Illustrations: J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland 318 (1983); S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 477 (1993); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Flowering culms 10–60 cm tall. Leaves; ligule 0.1–0.3 mm long; blades 1–10 cm long, 4-5 mm wide. Inflorescence 1–9 cm long. Primary branches 1–7 cm long, 0.1–0.2 cm wide. Spikelets 3–40 on a typical lowermost primary branch (sometimes the primary branch is reduced to a single spikelet and the inflorescence is a raceme), 1.7–2.3 mm long, 0.55–0.8 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 0.8–1.1 mm long, 3 nerved; upper glumes 1–1.2 mm long, elliptic, 3–5 nerved, acute to rounded. Lower floret; lemma 1.7–2.3 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 1.7–2.3 mm long, 3 nerved; palea cartilaginous to indurate, muricate; anthers 0.7–0.8 mm long.
Endemic; occurring sporadically in tropical and subtropical woodlands of central coastal Qld to central coastal N.S.W. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Jan. to May. Map 1101.
Qld: Clarke Ra, rd to Sandy Creek Tableland, B.K.Simon 3360 (BRI, CANB, K); Middle Percy Is., M.Lazarides 5643 (BRI, CANB); Glasshouse Mtns, S.T.Blake 21226 (BRI, CANB); Simpsons Falls, Mt Coot-tha, B.K.Simon 4292 (BRI, NSW). N.S.W.: Wooyung Beach, N of Byron Bay, A.R.Bean 17580 (BRI).
A sprawling, weak grass distinguished from O. nodosa by shorter spikelets, narrower leaf blades and firm culms. Intermediates with this species are rarely found.
OPLISMENUS
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Oplismenus P. Beauv., Fl. Oware 2: 14 (1810), nom.cons.; from the Greek hoplismenos (armed), alluding to the awns.
Type: O. africanus P.Beauv.
Orthopogon R.Br., Prodr. 194 (1810). T: O. compositus (L.) R.Br. = Oplismenus compositus (L.) P.Beauv.
Annual or perennial, stoloniferous. Flowering culms decumbent; nodes hairy or glabrous. Leaves; ligule a fringed membrane; blades flat. Plants with hermaphrodite florets. Inflorescence a panicle, exserted at maturity. Spikelets with disarticulation at the base of the spikelet, adaxial, laterally compressed, lanceolate. Glumes 2, very unequal, rounded on the back. Lower glume 3–5 nerved, hairy (usually), strigose; upper glumes lanceolate to elliptic, hairy, strigose, mucronate or awned. Lower floret male or sterile; lemma membranous, strigose, with apex acute to rounded or cleft; palea vestigial or absent. Upper floret; lemma cartilaginous to indurate, smooth, lanceolate to elliptic, acute, mucronate; awn 0–1 mm long; palea cartilaginous to indurate, smooth. Hilum short to long-linear.
About 7 species native to the tropics and subtropics, with 5 species native to Australia. A genus of very closely related species and there are a number of taxonomic treatments which vary from those that have a few species with many infra-specific taxa (Scholz 1981) to those where species ranks is assigned to recognisable morphological forms. This is what may be considered a more practical approach taken in this account, although it may be difficult to extend the application of the species concept used beyond Australia (Davey & Clayton 1978).
JoyceW.Vickery, Oplismenus in Tindale, M.D., Flora of New South Wales No 19. Gramineae, Part 2, 215–219 (1975); J.C.Davey & W.D.Clayton, Some multiple discriminant function studies on Oplismenus (Gramineae), Kew Bull. 33: 147–157 (1978); U.Scholz, Monographie Die Gattung Oplismenus (Gramineae) 1–213 (1981); R.D.Webster, Oplismenus in Austral. Paniceae 111–115 (1987); W.J.Crins, Oplismenus in The genera of Paniceae (Gramineae: Panicoideae) in the Southestern United States, 222-224 (1991)
.
The sticky secretion on the awns is an unusual means of fruit dispersal in the grasses (Clayton and Renvoize, 1986).
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1 Length/width ratio of most leaf blades less than 7 |
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2 Basal racemes more than 4 cm long |
1. O. compositus |
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2: Basal racemes less than 2 cm long |
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3: Spikelet 2‑2.5 mm long; awns scaberulous, not viscous |
2. O. burmannii |
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3 Spikelet 3.5‑4 mm long; awns smooth, viscous |
3. O. aemulus |
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1: Length/width ratio of most leaf blades greater than 10 |
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4 Racemes in distinct fascicles; leaf blade indumentum dense |
4. O. mollis |
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4: Racemes not in distinct fascicles; leaf blade indumentum sparse |
5. O. imbecillis |
1. Oplismenus compositus (L.) P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 54, 169 (1812)
Panicum compositum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 57 (1753); Orthopogon compositus (L.) R.Br., Prodr. 194 (1810). T: Sri Lanka, P.Hermann s.n.; holo: BM (photo BRI), fide A.S. Hitchcock, USDA Bull. 772: 238 (1920).
Illustrations: E.E.Henty, Man. Grasses N. Guinea 134, pl. 52a (1969); U.Scholz, Die Gattung Oplismenus fig.31 (1981) as O. compositus var. compositus; W.D.Clayton & S.A.Renvoize in R.M.Polhill, Flora of Tropical East Africa Gramineae, Part 3, fig. 129 (1982).
Perennial. Flowering culms 30–70 cm tall, 5–8 noded; nodes hairy (pubescent) or glabrous. Leaves; ligule 0.8–1.5 mm long; blades 3–24 cm long, 8–27 mm wide; length/width ratio of most leaf blades less than 7. Inflorescence 8–18 cm long. Basal racemes 4–8 cm long, 0.3–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 8–50 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 2.5–3.9 mm long, 1–1.3 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume not reduced to a cup-like ring, 1.5–3.1 mm long, ovate or lanceolate or elliptic; upper glumes 1.6–3 mm long, 5–7 nerved, acute, awned, awn 0.4–1.8 mm long. Lower floret male or sterile; lemma 3.1–3.9 mm long, lacking a hyaline area at the base, 7–9 nerved, with apex acuminate to acute, awn 0–0.5 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 2.3–3.3 mm long, yellow. Rachilla not prolonged beyond the upper floret. Fig Eleanor Catherine.
Native; throughout the tropics. In Australia, it is restricted to the coastal plains of tropical Queensland and tropical N.T. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, and coastal grasslands. Flowering Apr. to Sep. Map 1105.
N.T.: Black Jungle, M.J.Clark 482 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MEL). Qld.: Wenlock R. at Moreton Telegraph Stn, J.R.Clarkson 8367 & V.J.Neldner (BRI, B, DNA, NSW); Iron Range, L.J. Brass 19074 (BRI, CANB);Tin Creek, Temple Bay, P.I.Forster 4596 (AD, BRI, PERTH); James Crocker Drive, North Mackay, E.R.Anderson 974 (BRI).
Diagnostic features include the elongate basal racemes longer than 4 cm ..
2. Oplismenus burmannii (Retz.) P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 54, 170 (1812)
Panicum burmannii Retz., Observ. Bot. 3: 10 (1783). T: India, J.König s.n.; holo: LD (photo BRI).
Illustrations: H.B.Gilliland, in Burkhill, H.M., Grasses of Malaya, Plate 11 (1971); ; U.Scholz, Die Gattung Oplismenus fig.14 (1981) as O. burmanii var. burmannii; D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Annual. Flowering culms 12–40 cm tall, 4–10 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.4–0.8 mm long; blades 3.5–10 cm long, 6–20 mm wide; length/width ratio of most leaf blades less than 7. Plants bisexual or dioecious (?). Inflorescence 3.5–13 cm long. Basal racemes 0.7–2 cm long, 0.4–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 14–30 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 2–2.5 mm long, 0.8–1.2 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 1.7–2.1 mm long, elliptic; upper glumes 1.7–2.2 mm long, 3–5 nerved, acute to rounded, with a scaberulous non-viscous awn 2–5 mm long. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.6–3.3 mm long, 7 nerved, with apex acute to rounded or cleft, awn 0.5–1.5 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 2–2.7 mm long, yellow; anthers 1.8–2.5 mm long.
Native; occurring mainly in tropics of Africa and Asia. In Australia, it is known from relatively few collections of tropical N.T. and Qld. Tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands and coastal grasslands. Flowering Mar. to Aug. Map 1102.
N.T.: 42 km NW of Cannon Hill Ranger Station, M.Lazarides 9094 (BRI, CANB); Baroalba Is., Lazarides & Adams 313 (B, BRI, CANB, DNA, E, K, L, NSW, P, US). Qld: Darnley Is., B.M.Waterhouse 6398 (BRI, CANB, GUAM); 12.1 km N of Palmer R. on Peninsula Development Rd, J.R.Clarkson 4669 ((BRI, CANB, DNA, K, PERTH); 62 km N of Archer R. on Coen-Weipa Rd, J.R.Clarkson 8987 & V.J.Neldner (BRI, DNA, K, L, MBA, NSW, QRP, PERTH).
Diagnostic feature of this species are the scaberulous and non-viscous awns. It differs from O. aemulus by having shorter spikelets.
3. Oplismenus aemulus (R. Br.) Roem. & Schult., as aemulans Syst. Veg. 2: 487( 1817)
Orthopogon aemulus R. Br., Prodr. 194 (1810); Panicum aemulum (R.Br.) Steud., Nomencl. Bot. 2nd edn, 2: 252 (1841); Oplismenus setarius var. aemulus (R.Br.) F.M.Bailey, Queensl. Fl. 6: 1838 (1902). T: R.Brown Iter Australiense 6132, Australia: Keppel Bay; holo: BM (photo BRI).
Orthopogon flaccidus R.Br., Prodr. (1810); Oplismenus flaccidus (R.Br.) Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 487 (1817); Panicum flaccidum (R.Br.) Steud. Nom. Bot. edn 2, 2: 256 (1841); Oplismenus aemulus var. flaccidus (R.Br.) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 328 (1915). T: R.Brown Iter Australiense 6131, Australia: Newcastle; holo: BM (photo BRI).
Oplismenus aemulus var. lasiorhachis Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 329 (1915). T: Tambourine Mtns, Qld, Mar. 1910, K.Domin [1301, 1302, 1303]; holo: PR (photos BRI); iso: BRI (K.Domin [1301, 1303] ).
Oplismenus undulatifolius var. lanceolatus Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 329 (1915). T: Yungaburra, north Qld, Feb. 1910, K.Domin [1307]; holo: PR (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Illustrations: J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland 316 (1983); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Perennial. Flowering culms 10–50 cm tall, 5–10 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.6–1 mm long; blades margins frequently undulating, 0.4–7 cm long, 2–15 mm wide; length/width ratio of most leaf blades less than 7. Inflorescence 3–6 cm long. Basal racemes 0.7–2 cm long, 0.2–0.4 cm wide. Spikelets 7–15 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 3.5–4 mm long, 1.2–1.6 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 2–2.5 mm long, lanceolate; upper glumes 2–2.5 mm long, 5 nerved, acute, mucronate, with a smooth, viscous awn 0.5–1 mm long. Lower floret sterile; lemma 3.5–4 mm long, with apex acute. Upper floret; lemma 3.5–4 mm long, white. Fig (photo BKS, with O. imbecillis)
Native; eastern Australia from Cape York to northern Vic. Flowering throughout the year. Map 1106.
Qld.: 40 Mile Scrub, J.R.Clarkson 6881 & W.J.F.McDonald (BRI, CANB, DNA, L, MBA, NSW, PERTH, QRS); Clarke Ra, road to Mt. McCartney 12 km from Cathu Forestry Stn, B.K.Simon 3367 (BRI, CANB, K, L, MO, NSW, PRE); near Yarwun, S end of Mt Larcom Ra, S.T.Blake 22456 (AD, BRI, CANB, NSW, PERTH); N.S.W.: Upper Bellinger R. Valley, Bishops Creek, P.Gilmour 7083 (BISH, BRI, CANB, L, NSW, PERTH). Vic.: 7.5 mi (12 km) NE of Mallacoota, J.H.Willis & A.C.Beauglehole ACB 31443 (BRI, MEL).
Some authors (Davey & Clayton 1978) contend that the morphological relationship between O. aemulus and O. imbecillis (as O. hirtellus) is obscure and the characters commonly used to distinguish these taxa, when looked at from a global viewpoint, cannot be applied consistently. For this reason they place the Australian entity in synonymy with O. hirtellus. However, within Australia, these species consistently differ by the features indicated in the key and furthermore both can grow in the same locality and maintain their diagnostic features. The variation in size of the leaf blades is enormous with plants from drier localities having leaf blades commonly less than 10 x 5 mm (Clarkson 6881 & McDonald) whereas those from wetter areas have leaf blades up to 7 x 1.5 cm.
It differs from O. burmannii by having longer spikelets with smooth and viscous awns.
4. Oplismenus mollis (Domin) Clifford & Evans ex B.K.Simon, Austrobaileya 9: 209 (2010)
Oplismenus undulatifolius var. mollis Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 329 (1915). T: Tambourine Mtns, Qld, Mar. 1910, K.Domin [1311, 1312, 1313, 1314]; holo: PR (photos BRI); iso: BRI (Domin 1311).
Illustrations: T.D.Stanley in T.D.Stanley & E.M.Ross, Fl. SE Queensland 3: 215, fig. 34D (1989) as O. undulatifolius var. mollis; S.W.L.Jacobs & C.A.Wall in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 4: 491 (1993) as O. undulatifolius; D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002) as O. undulatifolius and O. undulatifolius var. mollis.
Perennial. Flowering culms 12–50 cm tall, 6–10 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.5–1 mm long; blades 2.5–10 cm long, 4–15 mm wide, with indumentum dense; length/width ratio of most leaf blades greater than 10. Inflorescence 3–10 cm long. Basal racemes 0.2–0.45 cm long, 0.2–0.4 cm wide. Spikelets 2–11 on a typical lowermost primary branch, in distinct fascicles, 2.7–3.8 mm long, 1–1.4 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 1.7–2.7 mm long, oblong or lanceolate or elliptic; upper glumes 1.7–2.6 mm long, 5–7 nerved, acute to rounded, awned, awn 0.9–1.6 mm long. Lower floret male or sterile; lemma 2.7–3.8 mm long, 7 nerved, with apex acute, awn 0.2–1.2 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 2.5–3.6 mm long, yellow.
Native; occurs in the shaded tropical woodlands of eastern Australia from tropical Qld to northern N.S.W. Tropical and subtropical rain forests and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Apr. to Aug. Map 1103.
Qld: Iron Ra., L.J.Brass 19156 (BRI, CANB); Soak, 200 m below plateau on top of Altanmoui Ra, V.J.Neldner 3970 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MBA, NSW); Clark Ra., B.K.Simon 3361 (BRI, CANB, K); Palm Grove N.P., Tamborine Mtn, S.T.Blake 15827 (BRI). N.S.W.: 1.5 km from Bilambil along Carool Rd, A.R.Bean 17407 (BRI, NSW).
Diagnostic features of O. mollis include the smooth awn, the lowermost primary branches reduced to fascicles and densely short and soft pubescence of the culm, sheaths and blades. It is here treated as a separate species, and not as a variety or synonym of O. undulatifolius, as suggested in other Australian literature. It differs from O. imbecillis by the racemes being in distinct fascicles and by a dense leaf blade indumentum.
5. Oplismenus imbecillis (R.Br.) Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 487 (1817)
Orthopogon imbecillis R.Br., Prodr. 194 (1810); Panicum imbecille (R.Br.) Trin., as imbicillis, Sp. Gram. 2: 355, t. 191 (1829); Oplismenus compositus var. imbecillis (R.Br.) F.M.Bailey, Cat. Grasses Queensland Court 19 (1888); Oplismenus setarius var. imbecillis (R.Br.) Hack., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 13: 259 (1890); Oplismenus undulatifolius var. imbecillis (R.Br.) Hack., Bur. Govt. Lab. (Phillipines) Bull. 25: 81 (1906) in obs.; Panicum undulatifolium var. imbecille (R.Br.) Kneuck., as imbicillis, Allg. Bot. Z. Syst. 15: 140 (1909); Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. imbecillus (R.Br.) U.Scholz, Phan. Monogr. 13: 127 (1981); T: Australia, R.Brown Iter Australiense 6133; holo: BM (photo BRI); iso: E, n.v., K (photo BRI), LE, n.v..
[Opismenus hirtellus auct.].
Illustrations: U.Scholz, Die Gattung Oplismenus fig.31 (1981) as O. hirtellus subsp. imbellis; D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Annual or perennial. Flowering culms 5–50 cm tall, 5–11 noded; nodes hairy. Leaves; ligule 0.4–1.1 mm long; blades 1.5–10 cm long, 4–17 mm wide, with indumentum sparse; length/width ratio of most leaf blades greater than 10. Inflorescence 4–11 cm long. Basal racemes 0.5–1.5 cm long, 0.4–0.6 cm wide. Spikelets 5–30 on a typical lowermost primary branch, not in distinct fasicles, 2.1–3 mm long, 0.8–1.2 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume not reduced to a cup-like ring, 1.4–2.1 mm long, ovate to elliptic; upper glumes 1.6–2.1 mm long, 5–7 nerved, acute, mucronate or awned, awn 0.5–1.1 mm long. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.1–3 mm long, 5–7 nerved, with apex acute. Upper floret; lemma 2–2.4 mm long, white to yellow. Fig (photo BKS, with O. aemulus)
Native; Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, and South Pacific. Eastern Australia from Cape York to northern Vic.; also from the Kimberley, W.A. and from near Darwin, N.T. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, temperate wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering Jan. to July. Map 1104.
W.A.: 6 km S of Mitchell Plateau mine camp, J.J.Alford 543 (CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Beatrice Hill, C.S.Robinson s.n. DNA D629 (DNA). Qld.: Brandy Ck road 12 km from its source, Conway Range SF, B.K.Simon 3371 (BRI, CANB); Cedar Ck, foot of Mt.Tamborine, S.T.Blake 14325 (BRI, CANB, K, NSW). N.S.W.: Upper Bellinger River Valley, Bishops Creek, P.Gilmour 7082 (BISH, BRI, CANB, NSW). Vic.: Mullacoota Inlet E.W.Finke & A.C.Beauglehole ACB32966 (BRI, MEL).
This species has been placed in synonymy with O hirtellus (L.) P. Beauv, an extremely variable tropical species which Scholz (1981) divided into 11 subspecies. The type of this name in the Linnean Herbarium differs to some degree from the Australian entity in having longer raceme branches and broader leaf blades and it seems prudent to recognise the latter under a different name, following the treatment of some Australian authors (Vickery 1975, Wheeler, Jacobs & Whalley 2002). Although it tends to intergrade with O. compositus and O. undulatifolius; most specimens can be identified with some confidence. It differs from O. mollis by the racemses not being in distinct fasicles and by having a sparser leaf blade indumentum.
ICHNANTHUS
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Ichnanthus P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 56 (1812); from the Greek chnos (a footstep or mark), perhaps referring to the appendages beneath the upper floret.
Type: I. panicoides P.Beauv.
Panicum L. sect. Ichnanthus (P.Beauv.) Trin., Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Pétersbourg, Sér. 6, Sci. Math. 1: 195 (1834).
Annual or perennial, stoloniferous or without stolons. Flowering culms erect or decumbent; nodes hairy or glabrous. Leaves; ligule a fringed membrane; blades flat. Plants with hermaphrodite florets. Inflorescence a panicle, exserted at maturity or not fully exserted. Lowermost inflorescence node smooth to hairy. Spikelets with disarticulation above the glumes or at the base of the spikelet, adaxial, laterally compressed, lanceolate. Glumes 2, ± equal (the lower c.1/2 to 3/4 of the spikelet length), distinctly keeled to rounded on the back. Lower glume not reduced to a cup-like ring, lanceolate, 3–9 nerved, usually glabrous; upper glumes lanceolate to elliptic, 3–11 nerved, glabrous to scabrous, acuminate to rounded, muticous. Lower floret male; lemma membranous, lacking a hyaline area at the base, 3–11 nerved, with nerves without slit-like interspacing, with apex acuminate to rounded; palea present, acute. Upper floret; lemma 5–7 nerved, white to yellow, cartilaginous to indurate, smooth, oblong to lanceolate, with the basal appendages attached laterally, apically rounded to acute, muticous; palea cartilaginous to indurate, smooth. Hilum short. Rachilla not prolonged beyond the upper floret.
A tropical genus with 1 species in the Old World and approximately 38 species native to America; 1 species native in Australia. A genus of varying habit from tall canes to forest-like herbs and rambling weeds. It has appendages at the base of the florets, and their function is unknown.
D.K.Hughes, Ichnanthus in The genus Panicum of the Flora Australiensis. Bull. Misc. Inf. Kew 328–330 (1923); M.Lazarides, The Australian species referred to Ichnanthus Beauv. (Gramineae). Austr. J. Bot. 7: 328–346 (1959); M.T.Stieber, Revision of Ichnanthus sect. Ichnanthus (Gramineae: Panicoideae), Syst. Bot. 7: 85–115 (1982); R.B.Shaw & R.D.Webster, Variation and taxonomic significance of anthoecium characteristics in Ichnanthus (Poaceae: Paniceae), Bot. Gaz. 144: 363–370 (1983); R.D.Webster, Ichnanthus in Austral. Paniceae 100–101 (1987); M.T.Stieber, Revision of Ichnanthus sect. Foveolatus (Gramineae: Panicoideae), Syst. Bot. 12: 187-216 (1987).
Ichnanthus pallens (Sw.) Munro ex Benth. var. major (Nees) Stieber, as majus Syst. Bot. 12: 207 (1987)
Panicum pallens var. majus Nees, Flora Brasiliensis 2: 137( 1829). T: Brazil, 1815–1820, prope Mandioeam, G.H. von Lansdorff s.n.; holo: LE, n.v., fide M.T.Stieber, loc. cit..
Panicum vicinum F.M.Bailey, Syn. Queensland Fl., Suppl. 3: 82 (1890); Ichnanthus vicinus (F.M.Bailey) Merr., Philip. J. Sci. 20: 367 (1922). T: Harvey's Ck, Russell R., Qld, s.d., F.M.Bailey s.n.; holo: BRI; iso: BM, K, MEL, US.
Illustrations: M.Lazarides, loc.cit. as Ichnanthus vicinus; E.E.Henty, Man. Grasses N. Guinea 188, pl. 44 (1969) as Ichnanthus vicinus; D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Perennial, stoloniferous. Flowering culms decumbent, 10–50 cm tall, 4–9 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.9–1.1 mm long; blades 2–11 cm long, 5–25 mm wide. Inflorescence not fully exserted, 6–15 cm long. Primary branches 3–14 cm long, 0.4–0.7 cm wide. Spikelets 10–20 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 4–5.6 mm long, 0.8–1.1 mm wide. Glumes distinctly keeled; lower glume 2.9–4.1 mm long, 5 nerved, glabrous (occasionally with a few hairs on the margins); upper glume 3.8–4.9 mm long, lanceolate, 5 nerved, acuminate; lemma 3.4–4.6 mm long, 5 nerved, with apex acuminate. Upper floret; lemma 2.3–2.8 mm long, yellow, cartilaginous, oblong, apically rounded; palea cartilaginous; anthers 1.2–1.5 mm long.
Native; native to the both Old and New Worlds, it is a trailing forest grass which is widely distributed in the tropics of Asia. A few collections from the tropical rainforests of N Qld. Tropical and subtropical rain forests. Flowering Oct. to May. Map 1108.
Qld: Palm Rd, Cape Tribulation, D.Sharp 292 (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); Mt Bartle Frere, S.T.Blake 9811 (BRI); Edgehill, Cairns, S.T.Blake 13366 (AD, BRI, CANB, PERTH); El Arish to Mission Beach Rd, R.L.Jago 5716 & B.Wannan (BRI, CANB); small tributary off Bulgum Ck water intake access road N of Tully, A. Ford 4155 & B.Hewitt (AD, BRI, DNA, L, MEL, NSW, MO, NY).
A member of the section Foveolatus which is characterized by two small areas of sclerified tissue at the base of the upper lemma, a curved stipe and the presence of rosette clusters at the palea apex. This variety differs from the type variety by longer spikelets (4.5–6.5 mm long compared to 2.5–4 mm long in var. pallens) and by the panicle branches being looser. I. pallens var. pallens occurs almost exclusively in the New World, although there are a few intermediate forms between the two varieties in the Old World (Stieber 1987).
HYMENACHNE
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Hymenachne P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 48: 165 (1812); from the Greek hymen (a membrane) and achne (chaff), alluding to membranous glumes, lemmas and paleas.
Type: Lecto: H. amplexicaulis (Rudge) Nees., fide A. Chase, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 21 (1908) (see G.Panigrahi & A.K.Dubey, Taxon 35 338–340 (1986).
Panicum sect. Hymenachne Benth., in G.Bentham & J.D.Hooker, Gen. Pl. 3: 1102 (1883);. Panicum sect. Hymenachne (P.Beauv.) Merr., Philipp. J. Sci. 1, suppl. 5: 356 (1906).
Perennial. Leaves; ligule membranous; blades flat. Plants with hermaphrodite florets. Inflorescence a panicle, exserted at maturity or not fully exserted. Spikelets with disarticulation at the base of the spikelet, 30–130 on a typical lowermost primary branch, adaxial, dorsally compressed, lanceolate. Glumes 2, unequal, rounded on the back. Lower glume ovate, 1–5 nerved, glabrous; upper glumes lanceolate to elliptic, 5 nerved, glabrous (nerves finely scabrous), long acuminate to acuminate, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma membranous, 5 nerved, with apex long acuminate to acuminate; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma white, chartaceous, smooth, lanceolate, acuminate, muticous; palea chartaceous, smooth. Hilum short.
About 8 species native to the tropics of Asia, Australia and the Americas; 1 species native in Australia and 1 introduced. There is some resemblance to Sacciolepis, but the culms are filled with aerenchyma whereas those of Sacciolepis are hollow.
D.K.Hughes, Hymenachne in The genus Panicum of the Flora Australiensis, Bull.Misc.Inform. Kew 9: 330 (1928); R.W.Pohl & N.L.Lersten, Stem aerenchyma as a character separating Hymenachne and Sacciolepis (Gramineae, Panicoideae). Brittonia 27: 223–227 (1975) R.D.Webster, Hymenachne in Austral. Paniceae 99–100 (1987); W.J.Crins, Hymenachne in The genera of Paniceae (Gramineae: Panicoideae) in the Southestern United States, 250-252 (1991)
|
Spikelets 4.5‑5.5 mm long; leaf-base attenuate to rounded at base, 6-15 mm wide |
1. H. acutigluma |
|
Spikelets 3‑4 mm long; leaf-base amplexicaul, 12-42 mm wide |
2. H. amplexicaulis |
Add H x. calmitosa
1. Hymenachne acutigluma (Steud.) Gilliland, Gard. Bull. Singapore 20: 314 (1964)
Panicum acutiglumum Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 66 (1853). T: Malacca, Malaysia, H.Cuming 2287; holo: P, n.v.; iso: L (photo BRI).
H. pseudointerrupta C.Muell., Bot. Zeit. 19: 333 (1861). Type: Malacca, Griffith s.n.; isolecto: K (photo, BRI), fide J.F.Veldkamp, Flora Malesiana ms.
Illustrations: I.D.Cowie, P.S.Short & M.Osterkamp Madsen, Floodplain Flora 151, Pl.49; 298, Fig 75 (2000); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Stoloniferous. Flowering culms 30–150 cm tall, 3–6 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.7–2 mm long; blades 12–45 cm long, 6–15 mm wide, attenuate to rounded at base. Inflorescence 8–46 cm long. Primary branches 2.5–11 cm long, 0.4–1.6 cm wide. Spikelets 4.5–5.5 mm long, 0.7–1 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 1.1–2 mm long; upper glumes 3–4.3 mm long. Lower floret; lemma 3.7–5.5 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 2.5–3.5 mm long; anthers 0.5–0.9 mm long. 2n = 20 (n=10, P.N.Mehra, Cytology of East Indian Grasses (1982), under H. pseudointerrupta). Fig Enid Mayfield.
Native; an aquatic or subaquatic species occasionally collected in the coastal tropics of Qld and the N.T. Also in tropical Asia. Tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, and coastal grasslands. Flowering sporadically throughout the year. Map 1108.
N.T.: Bullkine Billabong, Wagait Reserve, C.R.Dunlop 5902 & L.Craven (BRI, CANB, DNA, MEL, PERTH); Woolner Stn, ca 4 km S of Dave's Pt, M.O.Rankin 2440 (BRI, CANB, DNA, K); Nourlangie Billabong, Kakadu National Park, J. Russell-Smith 8733 (BRI, DNA). Qld: Blur Lagoon, Lakefield National Park, J.R.Clarkson 4850 (BRI, K, NSW, QRS); Lakefield, Giru, 35 km from Ayr, A.Benson s.n. (BRI).
Variable in habit and size of the spikelets. It was been placed in synonymy with the tropical American H. amplexicaulis (Webster 1987), now naturalised in Australia, but differs from this species by the leaf bases being attenuate to rounded, and not markedly amplexicaul, and the leaf blades being narrower.
2. *Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Rudge) Nees, Fl. Bras. Enum. Pl. 2: 276 (1829)
Panicum amplexicaule Rudge, Pl. Guian. 1: 21, t. 27 (1805). Lecto: Martin s.n. (BM, photo BRI), designated by E. Judziewicz, Fl. Guianas A, 8: 264(1990).
Illustrations: I.D.Cowie, P.S.Short & M.Osterkamp Madsen, Floodplain Flora 298, Fig 75 (2000); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Stoloniferous. Flowering culms 30–150 cm tall, 3–6 noded. Leaves; ligule 0.7–2 mm long; blades 12–45 cm long, 6–15 mm wide, attenuate to rounded at base. Inflorescence 8–46 cm long. Primary branches 2.5–11 cm long, 0.4–1.6 cm wide. Spikelets 4.5–5.5 mm long, 0.7–1 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 1.1–2 mm long; upper glumes 3–4.3 mm long. Lower floret; lemma 3.7–5.5 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 2.5–3.5 mm long; anthers 0.5–0.9 mm long.
Perenial. Flowering culms decumbent, 30–200 cm tall. Leaves; ligule 1–2.5 mm long; blades 15–33 cm long, 12–42 mm wide, amplexicaul. Inflorescence 10–40 cm long. Primary branches 1-5 cm long, 0.3-0.6 cm wide Spikelets 3–4 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 1–1.7 mm long; upper glumes 2.8–3.9 mm long. Lower floret; lemma 3.6–4.6 mm long. Upper floret; lemma 2.5–3 mm long; anthers 0.6–0.8 mm long.
Introduced (from South America); an aquatic introduced species introduced as a "ponded pasture" species to tropical and subtropical Qld the N.T. and northern NSW. Flowering Dec. to June. Map 1109.
N.T.: Harrison Dam, Adelaide R. floodplain, I.D.Cowie 7492 & M.C.Osterkamp (BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW). Qld: David Johnson's property between Mt Molloy and Julatten, J.R.Clarkson 1299A (BRI, DNA, MBA, NSW,K); Deadman Creek 9km S of Proserpine, A.R.Bean 16414 (BRI); 8km S of Midge Point, Tonga Range, G.N.Batianoff 940643 (BRI, CANB, CANB, MEL); Marklands, about 20km S of Sarina, on Bruce Highway, B.K.Simon 4136 & H.Bishop (BRI, NSW) . N.S.W.: xxxxxxx
A tropical American aquatic perennial, which grows in water or on land. The cultvar ‘Olive’ is a useful fodder plant in Australia for stock and buffaloes, but spreads by seed and culms, and is a weed of tropical wetlands. It has been declared a Weed of National Significance.