Ptilothrix deusta (R.Br.) K.L.Wilson APNI* Synonyms: Ptilanthelium deustum (R.Br.) Kük. APNI*
Description: Slender tufted perennial. Culms terete, often grooved, smooth, glabrous, to 55 (rarely to 80) cm high, 1.1–1.7 mm diam.
Leaf blades thickly channelled to flattish near apex, to 30 cm long, 0.5–1.3 mm wide; sheaths very pale yellow to grey-brown.
Inflorescence obconical to fan-shaped, 1.5–2.5 cm long; 2 involucral bracts exceeding inflorescence, blades to 7 cm long. Spikelets 8–17 mm long. Rachilla whitish, elongated at maturity. Glumes nearly linear, hyaline and glabrous except for dark brown, hispidulous midrib with narrow yellow band beside it, acute, lower glumes mucronate, c. 12 mm long. Hypogynous bristles white to yellow-tinged, about as long as beak. Anthers c. 5 mm long, excluding appendage c. 1.3 mm long.
Nut narrow-obovoid, c. 5 mm long, c. 0.7 mm diam., dark brown to blackish, minutely reticulate under smooth surface, shining.
Flowering: spring.
Distribution and occurrence: Coastal areas and eastern edge of Tablelands, north from Broulee area. Grows in seasonally wet heath and dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, on sandy soil.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST
Other Australian states: Qld
Text by K. L. Wilson (1993); edited KL Wilson (Aug 2024) Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
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