Cymbopogon dependens B.K. Simon. Austrobaileya
3:80 (1989).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia: Northern Territory: Katherine Gorge, 8
Mar 1964, Lazarides 7036 (HT: BRI-139135, BRI-139136; IT: CANB, DNA, K
(photo, BRI), MEL).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms geniculately ascending or decumbent or arching, stature
slender to delicate, 90–120 cm tall, 3–5 -noded. Mid-culm internodes glabrous.
Mid-culm nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate
membrane, 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform or linear, flat, 15–30 cm long,
0.5–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, composed of rames. Central inflorescence axis 17–25 cm
long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the
cluster. Basal sterile spikelets absent. Companion spikelets rudimentary or
developed, comprising 2 subequal glumes without lemmas, 2 mm long. Companion
spikelet glumes muticous. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren
(rarely male), the upper fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets,
comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, elliptic or ovate,
dorsally compressed, 4.5–5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic, chartaceous,
keeled, 2-keeled, 0–4 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, keeled, 1-keeled, 3
-nerved. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant
palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline.
Fertile lemma without
keel. Lemma apex lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus,
17–20 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Column 6–8 mm long. Palea absent.
Anthers 3.
Continental Distribution:
Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory.
Western Australia:
Gardner, Hall. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf, Central Australia
South.
Notes.
In rocky gorges in isolated regions of W.A. and N.T. Flowers Feb.--Mar.
