Scrotochloa tararaensis (Jansen) Judz.

Poaceae

Judziewicz, E.J. (1984) Phytologia 56(4): 300.

Perennial with short rhizomes. Culms erect, 40-45 cm tall.

Leaf-blades inverted, linear, 10-40 cm long and 4-8 mm wide, venation slanting obliquely from midrib, with distinct cross nerves, surfaces scabrous, margins scabrous. Leaf-blade base with a false petiole, 2-4 cm long and glabrous. Ligule a fringed membrane 0.5 mm long.

Monoecious, with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Inflorescence a compound open panicle, ovate in outline, 4-10 cm long. Primary panicle branches whorled at most nodes, sparsely divided, branching divaricately, 4-8 cm long, stiff, straight, angular, glabrous. Racemes 2-7, in several whorls, spreading, straight, 4-8 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3-5 cm long. Rhachis smooth and glabrous. Spikelet packing lax. Sexes mixed. Spikelets in pairs, on shorter pedicels than sterile. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform (male) or cuneate (female). Fertile spikelets without rhachilla extension, obovate, urceolate, laterally compressed, 3-4 mm long, falling entire.Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, 4 mm long, equal length of upper glume, scarious, dark brown, 1-nerved. Lower glume without lateral nerves, surface pubescent, with hooked hairs. Upper glume ovate, 4 mm long, equal length of adjacent fertile lemma, scarious, dark brown, 1-nerved, pubescent, with hooked hairs. Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma obovate, gibbous, 4 mm long, coriaceous. Lemma midnerve thickened. Lemma lateral nerves obscure. Lemma surface puberulous or pubescent, with hooked hairs. Lemma margins closed except for an apical pore, covering most of palea. Lemma apex rostrate. Palea linear, longer than lemma. Palea surface pubescent, with hooked hairs. Anthers 6, 1.5-2 mm long. Stigmas 3, terminally exserted, plumose. Styles connate below. Ovary pubescent all over. Male spikelets similar to female but less developed.

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp, looks like a coffee bean, testa eroded (granular) and with short hairs at the apex.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP on the Iron Range. Altitudinal range 80 m. Grows between rocks in rainforest. Also from New Guinea.

Leptaspis tararaensis Jansen, Reinwardtia 2(2): 304(1953), Type: Tarara, L.J. Brass 8587; Jan 1937; Papua New Guinea: New Guinea I., Western Div. (US-1723653).