Thyridolepis xerophila (Domin) S.T.Blake APNI* Synonyms: Neurachne xerophila Domin APNI*
Description: Slender perennials to c. 50 cm tall with a bulbous base. Culms densely silky-woolly below. Nodes pubescent below.
Sheaths ± pubescent, collar ± shortly pubescent; ligule hairs c. 0.5 mm long; blade abruptly constricted to a c. 0.5 mm long pseudopetiole, 1.5–4 mm wide.
Inflorescence narrowly oblong, bristly but otherwise ± glabrous 2–3.5 cm long, 5–8 mm wide excluding the bristles, with 7–16 spikelets. Spikelets cleistogamous or chasmogamous, acuminate, 4–5 mm long, 1.2–1.5 mm wide excluding the bristles, bristly but otherwise mostly glabrous or nearly so; internode between the glumes c. 0.5 mm long. Lower glume subequalling the spikelet, transverse ridge c. in the middle of the glume, c. 0.7 mm across with 10–13 or more bristles each 1.2–3 mm long; window narrowly ovate-triangular, 0.45–0.7 mm wide; apex acute, entire or minutely 3-toothed; upper glume equalling the spikelet, entire or minutely 3-toothed; narrowed apex c. 40% the total length or a little less, ± pubescent with a dense series of transversely widened tubercles submarginal tubercles c. 0.3 mm long with 2-several stiff bristles 1–1.8 mm long, rarely with some slender. Lower lemma male or sterile, c. 3 mm long; narrowed apex c. 20% the length; palea 10–50% as long as the lemma, acute or lacerate. Fertile lemma very finely striolate, biconvex but compressed, ovate-elliptic below the beak which is 10–25% as long; palea subequal to and similar to its lemma.
Flowering: Flowers in response to rain.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in sandy and stony soils, often associated with Mulga.
NSW subdivisions: NWS, CWS, NWP, NFWP
Other Australian states: Qld W.A. S.A. N.T.
Text by Jacobs, S.W.L., Whalley, R.D.B. & Wheeler, D.J.B.
Taxon concept: Grasses of New South Wales, Fourth Edition (2008).
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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