Nassella hyalina* (Nees) M.E. Barkworth. Taxon 39: 610 (1990).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Stipa hyalina Nees, Fl. Bras. Enum. Pl. 2(1): 378 (1829).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: F. Sellow, Brasilia meridionalis (B; IT: LE-TRIN-1404.01 (& fig. ex herb. Chamiss.)). de Schlechtendal 1827; herb. Chamiss.. HT: F. Sellow 636d, no date, Uruguay: Montevideo (B; IT: BAA-3088 (fragm. ex B), US-87201 (fragm.), US-81929 (fragm.)).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales (304), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (66).
Illustrations: [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (304), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (63, Fig 9).
Habit. Perennial. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 25–120 cm tall. Lateral branches simple or sparsely branched. Leaf-sheaths smooth, glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.2–2 mm long, membranous, truncate or obtuse. Leaf-blades flat or involute or convolute, 4–30 cm long, 1.5–5.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle 5–30 cm long.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 5.5–11.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, hyaline, without keels, 1–3 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 5.5–11.5 mm long, hyaline, without keels, 1–3 -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth or asperulous.
Florets. Fertile lemma 3–5.5 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex entire, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn constricted at base (of corona), 20–45 mm long overall, without a column or with a straight or slightly twisted column. Column 15 mm long. Palea 0 -nerved, without keels. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.8–2.3 mm long.
Continental Distribution: Australasia and South America.
Australian Distribution: New South Wales, Victoria.
New South Wales: Central Coast, Northern Tablelands, North-Western Slopes. Victoria: Volcanic Plain.
Notes. An introduction from South America, uncommon on North Western Slopes of New South Wales, and common in the outer northern and western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria.
