163 
P.K. Lalz, Fimbristylis 
Glumes spirally arranged, erect, ovate-lanceolate, densely reddish gland-dotted with minutely 
ciliolate margins, prominently keeled by the thickened mid-nerve which continues to a 0.3-0. 8 mm 
long recurved mucro; otherwise nerveless and thinly membranous, 3-4 x 1.3-1. 8 mm. Stamens 3; 
anthers linear, 1.4- 1.5 mm, connective apically produced, bristly at the top. Style flat (rarely 
triquetrous) swollen at the base, ciliate for whole length, sparsely below, 1.0- 1.6 mm long; stigmas 
2(3), longer than style. Nut biconvex to trigonous, obovatc, shortly stipitatc, umbonulate, 
vcrruculose, stramineous, 1.1-1. 2 x 0. 9-1.0 mm; epidermal cells inconspicuously quadrangular or 
transversely oblong. 
Other specimens examined (precise locality withheld). NORTHERN TERRITORY: Calvert River 
30 Sept. 1986, P.K. Latz 10375 (BRI, DNA, NT). 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Ord River, 25 Oct. 1971, D. Kitchener 64 (DNA, PERTH); 
Hamersley Range, 15 May 1980, M.E. Trudgen 2594 (PERTH). 
Distribution. This species is only known from four widely separated locations in the Northern 
Territory and Western Australia between 16° and 21° S. 
Habitat. F. blakei appears to be restricted to permanently moist areas in rocky sandstone or 
quartzite hills. 
Affinities. This species has closest affinities with F. denudata R. Br. but it differs by the larger, 
squarrosc and more numerous spikelcts, more rounded nut and red gland-dotted glumes. It can be 
separated from other related species by its prominently keeled glumes and the absence of leaves. 
Conservation status. Although widespread, F . blakei appears to be quite rare. Using the Leigh, 
Briggs & Hartley (1981) convention, its status should be 3RC. Trampling by stock watering at the 
springs at which it grows may have already reduced its numbers. 
Etymology. The specific epithet honours the late Dr S.T. Blake who contributed so much towards 
the taxonomy of this genus. 
3. Fimbristylis caloptera Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 1) 
Ex Fimbrystylis cardiocarpa F. Mucll. et speciebus affinibus nuce manifeste alata; tantum 
F. pterygosperma R. Br. nuce alata affinis sed specierum australiensium proprietibus ceteris, differt. 
Typus: East Alligator River (12° 32’ S, 133° 09’ E), Northern Territory, 16 February 1973 
C.R Dunlop 3269 (holo: DNA; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, K, L, MEL, NT, NSW, PERTH). Lateritic 
soil [on] edge [of] E[ ucalyptus] miniala forest. 
Annual. Stems tufted, terete or somewhat angular, deeply grooved, scabrid, 5-26(40) cm x 
0.4-0.7 mm. Leaves basal, much shorter than the stems, erect or spreading, subtercte, ciliate on 
margins, 0.3-0.7 mm wide; ligule absent, sheaths with broad hyaline margins about 1 mm wide, 
white above, somewhat red gland-dotted below. Inflorescence a single terminal spikelct. Spikelet 
erect, lancelolate to ovoid, terete to somewhat flattened, acute, many-flowered, reddish-brown, 7-20 
x 2-4 mm, rachilla narrowly winged. Glumes spiral, subchartaceous, ovale to oblong, obtuse to 
somewhat acute, muticous, with single nerve slightly thickened and keeled near apex, densely red 
gland-dotted and minutely appresscd-puberulous in the apical part, rarely sub-glabrous, 4. 5-6.5 x 
2.0-3. 5 mm: lower 2-5 glumes shorter, empty, shortly mucronatc. Stamens 3; anthers linear, 1.5-2. 5 
mm long, connective apically produced, ciliate at apex, 0.3-0. 3 mm. Style slender, compressed 
triquetrous, slightly thickened and somewhat rounded at base, ciliolate in upper half but sometimes 
almost glabrous, 2.8-5.0 mm long; stigmas 3, shorter than the style. Nut broadly winged, wings 
deeply invaginated with ciliate, hyaline margins, 5-7 lobes on cither side, sometimes also similarly 
winged on the third angle; body of nut compressed trigonous, obovoid, stipitate, not or hardly 
