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umbonulate, stramineous or whitish, 3. 0-4. 5 x 2. 5-4.0 mm (including wings); epidermal cells 
isodiametric in vertical rows. 
Other specimens examined. NORTHERN TERRITORY: 16 miles [24 km] NE of Katherine (14° 
18’ S, 132° 05’ E), 25 March 1974, N. Forrester 69 (DNA); Gunn Point (12° 09’ S, 130° 58’ E), 7 
May 1973,7. McKean 1101 (CANB n.v„ DNA); 0.5 miles [0.8 km] NW of Edith River Siding (14° 
1 1 ’ S, 132° 01 ’ E), 30 Jan. 1965, 1.B. Wilson 211 (CANB n.v., DNA). 
Distribution. This species appears to be restricted to an area east and south-east of Darwin, 
Northern Territory. 
Habitat. Either occurring in lateritic or granitic, gravelly soils. 
Affinities. The only other Australian species which has similarly winged nuts is F. pterygosperma 
R. Br. but it is quite different in other parts. F. caloptera is related to F . cardiocarpa F. Muell. and 
its allies, all of which have wingless nuts. 
Conservation status. Unknown, but probably not particularly rare. 
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the attractive wings bordering the nut. 
4. Fimbristylis carolinii Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 1) 
Species nova spiculis grandibus multifloribus notabilis; Fimbristylis pterygosperma R. Br. 
aemulans nuce exalata, foliis cquitantibus, basi styli incrassata pyramidali et partibus omnibus 
grandioribus differt. 
Typus: N of Maggieville on Myravale road , Queensland, 20 April 1974, R.C. Carolin 8773, (holo: 
DNA; iso: NSW). Box woodland. Sandy loam. Precise locality withheld. 
Glabrous annual. Stems densely tufted, erect, somewhat Battened below, becoming terete 
above, sulcate, 30-55 cm x 1.0-1. 8 mm, the base clothed with laterally compressed, acuminate or 
shortly laminate, up to 11 cm long sheaths. Leaves much shorter than the stems, strongly laterally 
compressed, equitant, striate, without prominant mid-nerve, about 1-2 mm wide; ligule absent. 
Inflorescence consisting of a single terminal spikelet. Spikelet erect, cbractcate, broadly ovoid to 
obovoid, obtuse, very densely many-flowered, stramineous 10-25 x 6-8 mm; rhachilla winged. 
Glumes spiral, closely imbricate, membranous, oblong-ovate or oblong, obtuse with rounded apex, 
muticous, concave, 3-nerved, 4.0-4. 5 x 3 mm. Stamens 3; anthers linear, 2-3 mm long. Style 
triquetrous, pyramidally thickened at base, long hyaline-fimbriate on upper 1/4 otherwise glabrous, 
3-4 mm long; stigmas 3, shorter than the style. Nut trigonous, turbinate, abruptly narrowed in lower 
half, with 3 ridges just above the small stipe, rugulose, umbonulate, greyish-white or 
greyish-brown, 1 .3-1.5 x 1.0-1. 3 mm, epidermal cells hexagonal. 
Distribution. F. carolinii is presently only known from the type location near the Gulf of 
Carpentaria, Queensland. 
Habitat. See Typus above. 
Affinities. This species is similar to F. pterygosperma R. Br. but it lacks the winged nut (although 
this is also sometimes absent in depauperate F. pterygosperma specimens), is larger in all parts, has 
equitant leaves and a different style. The large, many-flowered spikelets are unique in Australian 
species of Fimbristylis. 
