Common name
Spikegrass

Derivation
Elytrophorus P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 67 (1812); from Greek elytrion (sheath or husk) and phoras (bearing), referring to the large outer glume.

spicatus- from the Latin spica (thorn) and -ata (possessing). Inflorescence a spike or spicate panicle.

Published in
Fl. Gen. Indo-Chine 7: 547 (1923).

Habit
Annual. Culms erect, 5–60 cm tall. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–25 cm long, 2–6 mm wide.

Inflorescence
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle glomerate, linear, continuous or interrupted, 2–30 cm long, (0.3–)0.5–0.7 cm wide.

Spikelets
Spikelets subtended by an involucre. Involucre composed of imperfect spikelets. Companion spikelets represented by single glumes, linear, 1–2 mm long, as long as or longer than fertile, persistent. Companion spikelet glumes membranous, 1-nerved, truncate, awned. Companion spikelet glumes with 0.5–1 mm long awn. Fertile spikelets many flowered, comprising 3–7 fertile florets, with diminished florets at the apex, ovate, laterally compressed, 2–5 mm long, breaking up at maturity. Spikelets disarticulating below each fertile floret.

Glumes
Glumes persistent, similar to each other and to fertile lemma in texture. Lower glume lanceolate, 1–2.2 mm long, equalling upper glume, membranous, light brown, 1-nerved. Lower glume lateral nerves absent. Lower glume apex acuminate, awned. Lower glume awn 0.5–1 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate, 1–1.5 mm long, membranous, 1-keeled, 1-nerved. Upper glume lateral nerves absent. Upper glume apex acuminate, awned. Upper glume awn 0.5–1 mm long.

Florets
Fertile lemma ovate, 1–1.5 mm long, membranous, 3-nerved. Lemma midnerve ciliate. Lemma surface villous. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex acuminate, 1-awned. Median (principal) awn 1–2.2 mm long overall, 1–2.2 mm long. Palea elliptic or ovate or orbicular, 1–1.3 mm long, 2-nerved. Palea keels winged, with toothed wings. Palea surface glabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped. Lodicules 1 or 2. Anthers 1–3, 0.2–0.4 mm long. Stigmas 2, sparsely hairy. Grain with free soft pericarp, 0.5–0.9 mm long.

Continental Distribution:
Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia.

Australian Distribution:
Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales.

Western Australia: Gardner, Fitzgerald, Hall, Dampier, Canning, Keartland, Carnegie, Fortescue, Ashburton, Austin, Carnarvon. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf, Victoria River, Barkly Tableland, Central Australia North. South Australia: North-western, Lake Eyre, Eastern, Murray. Queensland: Cook, Burke, North Kennedy, South Kennedy, Port Curtis, Leichhardt, Darling Downs, Gregory North, Mitchell, Warrego, Maranoa. New South Wales: North-Western Plains.

Classification. (GPWG 2001):
Danthonioideae: Danthonieae

Notes
Native. Widespread in the semi-arid parts of southern Africa through Asia to Australia in damp soil. Flowers April, May, June, and July.

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