Machaerina rubiginosa (Spreng.) T.Koyama APNI* Synonyms: Baumea rubiginosa (Spreng.) Boeckeler APNI*
Description: Perennial with short stout rhizome.
Culms rigid, terete to biconvex, 1- or 2-noded, rarely nodeless, striate, glabrous, smooth, 20–110 cm high, 1–5 mm diam. Leaves basal and cauline; basal blades flattened at least near apex, often subterete below, usually broader than and often exceeding culms, 1.5–7 mm wide, cauline blades much reduced; sheath straw-coloured, rarely with reddish tinges, dull.
Inflorescence interrupted-oblong in outline, narrow, erect, with dense clusters, 7–25(-40) cm long, 1–2.5 cm diam.; lowest involucral bract much shorter than inflorescence. Spikelets 2- or 3-flowered, 4–7 mm long. Glumes 5, acute to long-acute, red-brown, with margins ciliate; fertile glumes 3.7–6 mm long. Anthers 1.5–2.5 mm long.
Nut ellipsoid to obovoid, 2.2–4 mm long, 1.2–2.0 mm diam., smooth, with hispid apex, shining, pale red-brown to bright orange.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread on the coast and eastern edge of tablelands, extending inland to near Mudgee and Holbrook. Grows in swamps and other damp areas, on sandy soil.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, NWS, CWS, SWS
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. W.A. S.A. N.T.
Text by K. L. Wilson (1993); edited KL Wilson (Feb 2023) Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993) as Baumea rubiginosa
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.
|