Fimbristylis aestivalis (Retz.) Vahl APNI* Synonyms: Fimbristylis aestivalis var. aestivalis (Retz.) Vahl APNI*
Description: Small densely tufted annual.
Culms compressed, angular, 3–20 cm high, 0.3–0.5 mm diam.
Leaves shorter than culms, hispidulous, 0.3–0.5 mm wide; ligule absent. Inflorescence simple to compound, with several to many solitary spikelets, on branches to 5 cm long; involucral bracts leaf-like, 1–4 slightly exceeding inflorescence. Spikelets ovoid, angular, acute, 3–7 mm long, 1–1.5 mm diam. Glumes spiral, thinly membranous, ± acute, mucronulate, with obscurely 3-nerved acute midrib, sides nerveless, 1.2–1.5 mm long, sides pubescent or glabrous, scattered-hispidulous near midrib, straw-coloured to pale red-brown. Stamen 1; anther 0.3–0.5 mm long. Style 2-fid, sparsely ciliate above, glabrous or with a few short cilia at base.
Nut biconvex, with acute angles, broad-ellipsoid, shortly stipitate, 0.5–0.7 mm long, 0.4–0.5 mm diam., smooth, shining, obscurely reticulate by the isodiametric epidermal cells, pale yellow.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in damp places; along Murray R. valley from Howlong to Moama.
NSW subdivisions: SWS, SWP
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. W.A. S.A. N.T.
Text by K. L. Wilson
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
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