Tetraria capillaris (F.Muell.) J.M.Black APNI*
Description: Loosely tufted perennial with slender rhizome. Culms terete, 1-grooved, smooth, 18–60 cm high, 0.3–1 mm diam.
Leaves with filiform blade < 10 mm long; sheath reddish to straw-coloured, striate, papillose between striations, glistening; ligule membranous, with base of blade pubescent.
Inflorescence a single spikelet or up to 9 pedicellate spikelets in a loose cluster, drooping or erect, 0.5–4 cm long; involucral bract shorter than to as long as inflorescence. Spikelets terete, usually 1-flowered, rarely 2 or 3 flowers, 4–6 mm long. Glumes long-acute to mucronate, subdistichous, glabrous or ciliolate near apex, mixed red-brown and straw-coloured to greyish with age; lowest 2 or 3 glumes empty, about half length of upper glumes; upper 2–4 glumes 3.5–4 mm long. Hypogynous bristles absent or 4 to 1.5 mm long, flattened to filiform, remaining with inflorescence. Stamens 3; anthers 1.5–2.5 mm long, excluding appendage 0.3–0.5 mm long. Style 3-fid; style base conical, hispidulous, as long as or slightly exceeding body of nut.
Nut ± terete, obovoid to ellipsoid, 1.8–2.5 mm long, 1.0–1.5 mm diam., minutely wrinkled or reticulate, straw-coloured, ± dull, usually 3-ribbed, with 3 or 4 small disk-like thickenings at base.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Coastal areas south from Stroud, extending to Blue Mtns and eastern ST (Budawang Ra. and near Bombala). Grows in moist heath to forest, on sandy soils.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, CT, ST
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. W.A. S.A.
This name is used in the broad sense. It includes slender and coarse forms, which are currently being studied.
Text by K. L. Wilson (1993); edited KL Wilson (June 2014) Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data ***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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