Austrostipa nitida (Summerh. & C.E.Hubb.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett APNI* Synonyms: Stipa nitida Summerh. & C.E.Hubb. APNI*
Description: Caespitose perennial to c. 0.8 m high.
Leaves with ligule truncate, membranous, ciliate, 0.3–1.5 mm long; auricle glabrous, c. 0.5 mm long, or absent; blade expanded to inrolled, slightly to moderately ribbed, 1–2 mm wide, usually scaberulous to scabrous, margins glabrous to ciliate.
Panicle usually exserted and contracted (although spreading at anthesis), 25–55 cm long. Spikelets gaping slightly, 8–13 mm long (excluding awn). Glumes subequal, acute to acuminate. Lemma 4–6 mm long, smooth to slightly granular, silky; lobes glabrous to ciliate; coma obscure. Callus weakly bent at the tip, densely silky. Awn falcate, 4.5–7 cm long. Palea c. 90% the length of the lemma.
Flowering: in response to rain.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread on sandy soils of drier winter rainfall areas.
NSW subdivisions: CC, NWS, CWS, SWS, NWP, SWP, NFWP, SFWP
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. W.A. S.A. N.T.
Text by SWL Jacobs and J Everett 1993 (as Stipa) Taxon concept: Flora NSW vol 4 (1993)
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