Astrebla pectinata (Lindl.) F. Muell.
ex Benth. Fl. Austral. 7: 602 (1878).
Classification.
(GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Danthonia
pectinata Lindl. Three Exped. Australia 2: 26 (1838).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: IT: Coll. Ukn. 60, 1836, Australia: eastern
Australia (US-0865621 (fragm.)). From cambridge.
Key references
(books and floras): [1878] G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (602),
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (202),
[1981] M.Lazarides in J.Jessop (ed)., Flora of Central Australia (448),
[2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2006]
J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (339),
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales (137).
Illustrations:
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (203,
Pl. 60), [1984] N.T.Burbidge. rev. S.W.L.Jacobs, Australian Grasses (69), [2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of
Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig. 81H-J), [2006] J.Jessop,
G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (340, Fig. 272), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs,
R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn
(137).
Derivation: L.
pecten, comb; -ata, possessing. Inflorescence with spikes or racemes
bearing a fanciful resemblance to a comb.
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present, short. Culms erect, 15–120 cm tall, 6–9 -noded.
Lateral branches branched. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane.
Leaf-blades 7–25 cm long, 2.7 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a raceme. Racemes 1, 3–13 cm long, 10–20 mm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (2–4), comprising 2–4 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, oblong, laterally compressed, 8–20 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate or ovate,
chartaceous, much thinner on margins, keeled, 1-keeled, 5–9 -nerved. Upper
glume lanceolate or ovate, 8–13 mm long, chartaceous, without keels, 7–16
-nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 3–5 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved (in the body). Lemma surface
indumented. Lemma apex lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 6 mm long
overall. Lodicules present. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia,
Queensland, New South Wales.
Western Australia:
Gardner, Hall. Giles, Fortescue, Ashburton, Carnarvon, Austin. Northern
Territory: Victoria River, Barkly Tableland, Central Australia North,
Central Australia South. South Australia: North-western, Lake Eyre,
Gairdner-Torrens Basin, Flinders Ranges, Eastern. Queensland: Burke,
Darling Downs, Gregory North, Maranoa, Mitchell, South Kennedy, Warrego,
Gregory South. New South Wales: North-Western Slopes, North-Western
Plains, South-Western Plains, North Far Western Plains.
Notes.
Astrebla pectinata is a vigorous perennial that persists under adverse
conditions such as heavy stocking and drought. Pastures dominated by the
species produce an abundance of fodder and thus are capable of maintaining
large numbers of stock for long periods. They are particularly valuable in good
seasons when associated short-lived grasses and forbs are prolific. At least
one collection with a paniculate inflorescence has been made, the individual
being out-breeding. Cleistogamy is common, and the species is remarkably
uniform across its distribution.
Distributed
across most of inland Australia between 15°S and 33°S (N of 28°S in W.A.),
except the Great Sandy, Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts of W.A. This species
is the dominant grass over most of the Barkly Tableland and headwaters of the
Georgina R. in the N.T. with much smaller areas of dominance at the head of
Sturt Ck and N of Mt Hay. Occurrences in W.A. and S.A. are restricted to
relatively small pockets of cracking clay soils, for example, between ridges in
hilly areas, in depressions and drainage lines. Through Qld and N.S.W. A.
pectinata may become locally dominant but generally it is less abundant
than A. lappacea or other perennial grasses. Associated taxa include
other Astrebla species, Eragrostis setifolia, Eulalia aurea,
Iseilema and Aristida; flowers after rain.
