Eragrostis potamophila M. Lazarides. Austral. Syst. Bot. 10: 143 (1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia,
Western Australia, Kalumburu Mission: Lazarides 4941 (CANB holo, BRI, K, PERTH).
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. 68E-F).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 40–125 cm tall, 5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on
surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.1–0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades curled, flat or
involute or convolute, 15–35 cm long, 4–9 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous,
glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, loose or effuse, 20–36.5 cm
long, 5–12 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (9–55), comprising 9–55 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at
the apex, linear, laterally compressed, 4.2–25 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous, without keels or keeled, 1-keeled,
1 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 1–1.8 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled,
1 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1.3–1.7 mm long, keeled, 3–5 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous. Palea 2 -nerved. Anthers
(2–)3. Grain 0.5–0.7 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory.
Western Australia: Gardner,
Fitzgerald, Hall, Dampier. Northern Territory:
Darwin &
Gulf, Victoria
River.
Notes.
Distinguishing characters include large, open decompond panicle, flat and curly
leaves; minute ligule; semi-persistent flexuose, stout rachilla; unequal glumes
and thickened palea keels.
Endemic;
distributed in the Kimberley in N W.A. and the Keep R. Natl Park and Daly R.
areas of N.T. A fringing species of watercourses, often in sandy alluvial soil;
also on foreshore of saline estuary, basaltic rocks of waterhole, on lateritic
podsolics, and in swampy ground.; flowers all year round.; fruits all year
round.
