Common name: Gilgai Grass
Walwhalleya subxerophila (Domin) Wills & J.J.Bruhl APNI* Synonyms: Panicum subxerophilum Domin APNI*
Description: Wiry caespitose perennial to 0.8 m high, with extravaginal innovations.
Sheaths smooth to lightly scabrous; ligule membranous, 1–3.5 mm long, asymmetric; blade 1.5–3.5 mm wide when expanded.
Inflorescence shortly exserted, 5–30 cm long; primary branches spreading. Spikelets 2–2.75 mm long, oblong-elliptic to ovate, acute or obtuse. Lower glume ovate to triangular, obtuse to subacute, 50–90% the length of the spikelet, usually 1–3-nerved; upper glume the shape and size of the spikelet, prominently 9-nerved, more or less scabrous-tuberculate towards the apex. Lower lemma sterile, similar to the upper glume in size and shape, more or less scabrous-tuberculate towards the apex, prominently 5–7-nerved, sometimes 2-toothed at apex; palea small or absent. Fertile lemma elliptic, acute, c. 2.2 mm long, pale, shining, obscurely-nerved, more or less apiculate, obscurely striolate; palea notched at the apex, with a shallow depression near the tip.
Flowering: summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in floodways in dry country.
NSW subdivisions: NWS, CWS, NWP, SWP, SWS
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).
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.
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