Derivation
Dichelachne Endl., Prodr. Fl. Norfolk. 20 (1833); from the Greek dichelos (cloven-footed) and achne (chaff, scale), referring to bilobed lemmas.

rara- Latin for far apart. Spikelets far apart in panicle.

Published in
Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb.1: 337 (1951).

Common synonyms
Dichelachne novoguineensis (Pilger) Pilger

Habit
Annual or perennial, tufted. Culms erect, 18–130 cm tall, wiry. Mid-culm internodes smooth or scaberulous, glabrous or pubescent. Lateral branches simple. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 1–3 mm long, entire. Leaf-blades 4–17(–25) cm long, 1–4.5 mm wide.

Inflorescence
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Peduncle 25–55 cm long. Panicle open, oblong, dense, 3.5–23 cm long, 4–8 cm wide.

Spikelets
Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1(–2) fertile floret(s), without rhachilla extension or with a barren rhachilla extension, linear, laterally compressed, 4–8.25 mm long, breaking up at maturity. Spikelets disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident, pubescent, hairs 0.5–1.75 mm long.

Glumes
Glumes persistent, similar, thinner than fertile lemma, gaping. Lower glume lanceolate, 3.25–8.25 mm long, equalling upper glume, membranous, 1-keeled, 1-nerved, midnerve scaberulous. Lower glume lateral nerves absent. Lower glume apex acute to attenuate, muticous. Upper glume lanceolate, 3.25–8.25 mm long, equalling adjacent fertile lemma, membranous, 1-keeled, 1-nerved, midnerve scaberulous. Upper glume lateral nerves absent. Upper glume apex acute to attenuate.

Florets
Fertile lemma lanceolate, 4–8 mm long, cartilaginous, lightly keeled, 5-nerved. Lemma lateral nerves obscure or prominent. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex dentate, 2-fid, obtuse (easily splitting) or acuminate, 1-awned. Median (principal) awn subapical or dorsal, arising 75–90% way up back of lemma (0.3–2 mm below apex), flexuous or geniculate, 10–25 mm long overall, 200–400% of length of lemma, with a twisted column. Palea 3–6.5 mm long, 75% of length of lemma, 2–4-nerved. Palea keels approximate. Lodicules 2, 0.5–0.75 mm long, smooth. Anthers 1 (rarely) or 3, 0.75–2.75 mm long, yellow or purple. Grain with adherent pericarp, grooved, 1.9–3.25 mm long, apex rostrate. Hilum punctiform or elliptic. Endosperm liquid.

Continental Distribution:
Tropical Asia, Australasia.

Australian Distribution:
South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania.

South Australia: Northern Lofty, Southern Lofty. Queensland: Leichhardt, Burnett, Darling Downs, Moreton. New South Wales: North Coast, Central Coast, South Coast, Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central-Western Slopes, South-Western Plains. Victoria: Wimmera, Wannon, Grampians, Riverina, Midlands, Victorian Volcanic Plain, Otway Plain, Otway Range, Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plains, Gippsland Highlands, Wilsons Promontory, Snowfields, East Gippsland. Tasmania: Furneaux Group, North West, North East, West Coast, Central Highlands, East Coast, South West, Mt Field.

Classification. (GPWG 2001):
Pooideae: Aveneae

Notes
Endemic. Flowers Dec.–Mar.(–May). Fruits Jan.–May.

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