Aristida exserta S.T.Blake. Proc.
Roy. Soc. Qld 51: 172, T.5, fig 6–9
(1940).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Aristidoideae. Aristideae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Blake 6130, 11 Jun 1934, Australia:
Queensland: North Kennedy Dist.: Mt. Remarkable, near Pentland (BRI: IT: BRI,
K, MEL).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Illustrations:
[1983] J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland
(106(26)), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australiia.
Derivation: L.
exserted. Peduncle longer than in related species.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 45–75 cm tall. Mid-culm internodes glabrous. Lateral branches
branched or fastigiate. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of
hairs, 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades straight, filiform, conduplicate or involute or
convolute, 4–8 cm long, 0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle linear, 10–15 cm long, 1 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 7–11 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Lower glume apex awned. Upper glume lanceolate,
6.5–10 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume apex
entire or erose, awned.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 7–11 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex awned, 3
-awned. Median (principal) awn without a column. Lateral lemma awns present.
Palea without keels. Anthers 3. Grain 5–6 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland.
Western Australia:
Gardner. Fortescue. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf, Victoria
River, Barkly Tableland. Queensland: Burke, Cook, North Kennedy,
Warrego.
Notes.
A. exserta is distinguished by the thin fastigiate culms, rather small
spiciform panicles. It is superficially close to A. capillifolia,
differing in its involute lemmas and its 3-nerved glumes.
Mainly from the
northern Australia. Rocky outcrops and mountain ranges. Flowering and fruiting
January to September but mainly March to July.
