Stolonochloa pygmaea (R.Br.) E.J.Thomps., 2022

Thompson, Edward John, 2022, Stolonochloa, a new Australian genus segregated from Panicum (Poaceae: Panicoideae: Paniceae: Boivinellinae) based on phenetic analysis of morphological data, Phytotaxa 568 (2), pp. 99-148 : 137-138

1. Stolonochloa pygmaea (R.Br.) E.J.Thomps. , comb. nov.

Basionym:— Panicum pygmaeum ( Brown 1810: 191) .

Type:—[ Australia, New South Wales] Port Jackson , 1802-1805, R. Brown s.n. [Bennett no. 6108] (holo: BM000795695; iso: E00381736) .

Culms to 20 cm tall. Leaves 10–45 mm long, 2–5 mm wide, predominantly 30 mm x 3 mm; abaxial surface pilose with tuberculate-based hairs to 2.5 mm long; lower margins with tuberculate-based hairs to 4 mm long. Leaf sheath densely pilose with tuberculate-based hairs to 2 mm long. Ligule 0.2–0.4 mm long. Inflorescence axes 20–90 mm long, pubescent towards base; branches spreading with pulvini in axils. Pedicels, laterals 1–4 mm long, terminals 3–6 mm long. Spikelets 1.6–2.0 mm long. Lower glume 0.3–0.4 mm long, apex obtuse. Anthers 0.5–0.7 mm long.

Illustrations:— J.H. Maiden, A Manual of the Grasses of New South Wales 45 (1898); T.D. Stanley & E.M. Ross, Flora of South-eastern Queensland Vol. 3, 195, Fig. 30E (1989); D.J.B. Wheeler, S.W.L. Jacobs & B.E. Norton, Grasses of New South Wales, 223, Fig. 36b (1982). S.W.L. Jacobs & C.A. Wall, Flora of New South Wales, Vol. 45, 484 (1993).

Additional specimens examined:— Queensland: Ravensbourne, 28 February 2007, Bean26107 (BRI AQ0728142); Ipswich, 25 April 2011, Bean 31074 (BRI AQ0822831); Conondale Ranges, 30 March 2002, Bean 18571 (BRI AQ0555040); Ormeau Hills, 5 February 2014, Thompson MOR771 (BRI AQ0970222); Beatrice River, 17 February 2002, Jago 6174 (BRI AQ 0557219); Lamington NP, 7 March 2011, Halford BGQLD0791 (BRI AQ0863131); Tamborine Mountain, 3 May 1930, Hubbard 2419 (BRI AQ0323866); Bunya Mtns, 10 January 1919, White s.n. (BRI AQ 0269039); Mt Glorious, 17 April 1933, Blake & Everist 4763 (BRI AQ0410419); Eumundi, 15 February 1985, Sharpe 3735 (BRI AQ0422146); New South Wales: Dorrigo, 24 March 2009, Bean 28651 (BRI AQ0820781).

Distribution and habitat:—East coast of Australia in two disjunct strips from 17–20 O and 24–35 O S latitude in forest adjacent to rainforestand in rainforest ( Fig. 27 ).

Phenology:—All year but mostly January to April.

Conservation status:— Stolonochloa pygmaea has been recorded for National Parks in Queensland including Conondale, D’aguilar, Lamington, Malaan, Mount Bauple and Wrattens; and New South Wales including Barrington Tops, Biriwal Bulga, Blue Mtns, Gumbaynggirr, Mt Kaputar , Nightcap, Richmond Range, Royal and Washpool.

Figures

FIGURE 27. Map of the distribution of the species of Stolonochloa.