Austrostipa tuckeri (F.Muell.)
S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett. Telopea 6: 589 (1996).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa tuckeri
F. Muell., Fragm. 9: 128 (1881).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Garard Tucker s.n., Australia: between
the Lach and Darlington River (MEL; IT: NSW).
Key references
(books and floras): [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1
Gramineae (172 as Stipa), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass,
Grasses of Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses
of South Australia (68), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley &
D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales (160), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora
of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (59).
Illustrations:
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (173,
Pl. 50 as Stipa), [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses
of South Australia (68, Fig. 29),
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (160), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A:
Poaceae 2 (44, Fig 6).
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present, short. Culms 20–50 cm tall, wiry. Mid-culm nodes
pubescent. Lateral branches branched. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringed
membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 2.5–6 mm long, membranous, obtuse. Leaf-blades
flat or involute, 0.3–4.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle pyramidal, 8–20 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 8 mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 3 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Upper glume lanceolate,
5–9 mm long, membranous, without keels, 3 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 5 mm long, without keel. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex
entire, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 30–35 mm long overall, with a
twisted column. Column 10 mm long. Palea without keels. Grain 2.5–3 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution:
Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria.
Western Australia:
Austin. Coolgardie. South Australia: Eastern, Murray. New South Wales:
North-Western Slopes, Central-Western Slopes, North-Western Plains,
South-Western Plains. Victoria: Murray Mallee.
Notes. Mainly on the
Western Plains of New South Wales but also on the North and Central Western
Slopes, and in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
