P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis 
167 
7. Fimbristylis laxiglumis Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 2) 
Ab affinibus Fimbristylis solidifolia F. Muell. et F. clavata S.T. Blake sed partibus omnibus 
gradioribus, foliis pubescentioribus, glumis marginibus ciliatis distinguenda; a F. corynocarya F. 
Muell. glumis obtusis, nuce laevi, folius eligulatis distinguenda. 
Typus: Near Dunmarra Roadhouse, Northern Territory, 20 June 1974, P.K. Latz 5484 (holo: DNA; 
iso: BR1, L, NT, PERTFI). Erect annual. Quite rare in grey cracking clay, Eucalyptus microtheca 
grassland. Precise locality withheld. 
Annual. Stems densely tufted, erect, deeply grooved, 4-5-angular, with numerous short fine 
hairs (especially above), 10-80 cm x 1-4 mm; the base cloLhcd with broad, papery leaf-sheaths. 
Leaves less than half the length of the stems, somewhat rigid, flat or incurved, striate, acuminate, 
densely hairy below, less so above, c. 3.0-3.5 mm wide; no ligule. Inflorescence compound or 
decompound, rather dense with (2) 5-numerous spikclets, about 6 cm long and wide. Involucral 
bracts 3-5, the lowest shorter than the inflorescence. Primary rays several, erecto-patent, grooved, 
densely hairy, up to 5.5 cm long. Spikelets solitary, broadly ovoid, ragged below, obtuse, 
many-flowered, 9-25 x 5-7 mm; rachilla winged. Glumes spiral, chartaceous, becoming reflexed 
before falling and giving the spikclcl a ragged appearance, oblong-ovate, obtuse, muticous or 
shortly and bluntly mucronulate, 3.6-4.0 x 2.0-3.0 mm, with strong mid-nerve bordered on both 
sides by a yellowish stripe, ferrugineous or brownish sides and densely ciliate margins. Stamens 3; 
anthers linear, 2.0-2.5 mm long. Style triquetrous, slightly thickened at base, sparsely ciliolate, 
2. 0-2. 5 mm long; stigmas 3, about as long as the style. Nut obtusely trigonous, narrowly clavate, 
shortly stipitate, umbonulate, smooth or sparsely vcrruculose, usually white, 1.0-1. 3 x 0.4-0.6 mm; 
epidermal cells transversely linear. 
Other specimens examined (precise localities withheld). NORTHERN TERRITORY: NE of Roper 
River Mission, May 1921, MS. Tindale s.n. (DNA, NSW n.v.). 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Kimberley Research Station, 13 April 1963, P.J. Rijn s.n. (DNA). 
Distribution. F. laxiglumis apparently occurs occasionally in the Northern Territory and Western 
Australia between 14° 30’ S and 17° S. 
Habitat. This species appear to grow only in cracking grey clays, near water. 
Affinities. F. laxiglumis is related to both F. solidifolia F. Muell. and F. clavata S.T. Blake but is 
larger in all parts, has more hairs on its leaves and ciliate glume fringes. It differs from 
F. corynocarya by its obtuse glumes, smooth nut and absence of a ligule. 
Conservation status. Although widespread, F . laxiglumis appears to be rare. Trampling by stock 
watering at the water bodies on the edge of which it occurs may be affecting its continued existence. 
Using the Leigh, Briggs & Hartley (1981) convention its status should be 3R. 
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the ragged appearance of the mature spikelets caused by 
the reflexed glumes. 
8. Fimbristylis rupestris Latz, sp. nov. (Figure 2) 
Ex Fimbristylis trachycarya F. Muell. et specierum affinium, habitu parvo annuo, ligula 
deficienti, inflorescentia simplici, glumis emarginatis, marginibus distalibus ciliatis glumarum, stylo 
glabro, nuc subglobosa cellulis epidermidis quinquangularis isodiametris distinguenda. 
Typus : Mitchell River (14° 50’ S, 125° 42’ E), Western Australia, 23 Feb. 1980, C.R. Dunlop 5265, 
(holo: DNA; iso: NT, PERTH). In shallow, sandy seepage on sandstone pavement. 
