Common name: Perennial Beardgrass
Polypogon lutosus (Poir.) Hitchc. APNI* Synonyms: Polypogon littoralis J.C.Sm. APNI*
Description: Loosely tufted perennials to c. 50 cm tall.
Culms erect, branched, ribbed, glabrous; ligule membranous, 3–5 mm long, subulate, striate; blade narrowly elliptic, 5–20 cm long, to 1 cm wide, flat, ribbed, scabrous.
Inflorescence a contracted panicle, linear, 2–10 cm long, 0.5–2 cm wide, exserted or enclosed in uppermost sheath. Spikelets of 1 floret, widely gaping at maturity, falling entire; pedicles scabrous. Glumes lanceolate, subequal, 2–3 mm long, midvein prominent, scabrous, margin sometimes memranous; subterminal awn, straight, 1–2 mm long. Lemma obovate, c. 1 mm long, truncate, membranous, glabrous, 5-nerved, 5-toothed, sometimes the centre nerve extending into a straight awn, 1–2 mm long; palea 2-toothed.
Flowering: Spring.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in disturbed damp areas.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC, *ST, *NWS
Other Australian states: *Qld
*
Text by Jacobs, S.W.L., Whalley, R.D.B. & Wheeler, D.J.B. Taxon concept: Grasses of New South Wales, Fourth Edition (2008).
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