Steinchisma laxa* (Sw.) Zuloaga. Amer.
J. Bot. 90:817 (2003).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Panicum laxum
Sw., Prodr. 23 (1788).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Swartz s.n., Jamaica (S; IT: US
(fragm.)).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia (as Cliffordiochloa parvispicula).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 60–80 cm tall, 4–6 -noded. Lateral branches sparsely
branched. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 5–15 cm long,
2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle lanceolate, 10–20 cm long,
contracted about primary branches.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. 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, laterally
compressed, 1.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous, 1 -nerved. Upper
glume elliptic, 1.5 mm long, membranous, without keels, 3(–5) -nerved. Florets.
Basal sterile florets 1, barren, with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100
% of length of spikelet, membranous.
Fertile lemma 1.2 mm
long, without keel. Anthers 2.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland:
Cook.
Notes. Recorded
only from one locality in the Cook District, Qld.
