Austrostipa tuckeri
(F.Muell.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.EverettShortly rhizomatous perennial, culms branched, erect or decumbent, to 1 m long, nodes apparent, densely silky-pubescent. Leaves lightly pubescent or the upper ones glabrous; blade flat or inrolled, to 20 cm long and 2 mm broad; ligule glabrous, truncate, often torn at apex 2–7 mm long. Inflorescence a widely spreading, pyramidal panicle, to 20 cm long; panicle branches plumose with hairs 0.3–0.6 mm long. Glumes 6–7.5 mm long, purplish, acuminate, subequal, scabrous along nerves; lemma 4–5 mm long, dark brown at maturity, tuberculate, with short white hairs about the callus, otherwise glabrous; coma absent or very sparse, with hairs to 0.3 mm long; callus c. 0.3 mm long; awn straight or once bent, 30–35 mm long, the straight part 10–13 mm long, scabrous; palea up to about one-third as long as lemma and thinly membranous, glabrous. Flowers Sep.–Apr.
Also WA, SA, NSW. Known in Victoria from only one specimen at MEL (Boonoonar salt pans between Nowingi and Carwarp, 1955). Reported, without voucher specimen, from Robinvale in 1961.
The species is obviously very closely related to the much more widespread Austrostipa elegantissima and is probably, like that species, palatable to stock. The species is presumed extinct in this State.
Walsh, N.G. (1994). Poaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 356–627. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
