Common name: Sheda Grass, Kleberg bluestem (USA)
Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf APNI* Synonyms: Andropogon annulatus Forssk. APNI*
Description: Tufted perennial with short rhizomes. Culms up to 1 m high, with a ring of hairs around the nodes.
Leaves with sheath glabrous except for nodes; ligules membranous, up to 4 mm long; blade up to 7 mm wide, glabrous or glabescent, with thickened leaf margins.
Racemes 3–8 (-15), 3–7 cm long, peduncles glabrous. Lowest pairs of spikelets male; pedicels flattened c. 2 mm long, ciliate. Sessile spikelets 2–6 mm long; callus obtuse, shortly and densely bearded. Lower glume villous in the lower half, long ciliate hairs with tuberculate bases up to 6 mm long on the upper part; upper glume subequal. Lower lemma c. 2 mm long, sterile; upper lemma stipe-like with an awn 8–25 mm long. Pedicellate spikelets sterile, up to 6 mm long; lower glume with long tubercle-based hairs; upper glume subequal.
Flowering: Spring to Autumn.
Distribution and occurrence: Native to northern Africa, Middle East to India and Indonesia. Naturalised in Qld, NT & WA. Sparingly naturalised in N.S.W. Prefers disturbed areas particularly along roadsides.
NSW subdivisions: *NC
See also Kodela, Cunninghamia 15: 143-151 (2015).
Text by A. J. Perkins
Taxon concept:
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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