Aristida latzii B.K.Simon. Austrobaileya
2: 91 (1984).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Aristidoideae. Aristideae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Northern Territory:
Central Northern: Mt. Riddoch, 13 Sep 1973, P. K. Latz4163B (HT:
BRI-238482; IT: AD, CANB, NT).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3
(Fig. 17C-D).
Derivation: in
honor of Peter Kenneth Latz (1941-) Australian botanist.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 45–90 cm tall. Mid-culm internodes glabrous. Lateral branches
simple. Leaf-sheaths scaberulous. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.2 mm long.
Leaf-blades straight, filiform, conduplicate or involute or convolute, 10–20 cm
long, 1 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle linear, 10–37 cm long, 1 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 7–10 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 7–10 mm long, membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume apex entire.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 7–9 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 5.5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern
Territory: Central Australia
South.
Notes.
A. latzii is a distinctive species with rigid culms and long rigid
filiform leaves. It differs from A. nitidula by the lemmas being smooth
and not tubercled and from A. latzii by the flattish awns.
Restricted
to the Macdonell and Harts Ranges of Central Australia.
Rocky platforms of quartzite ridges. Flowering and fruiting January, March to
October.
