P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis 
169 
central nerve and microscopically ciliolate margins at the apex, densely reddish gland-dotted, 
4. 5-6.0 x 1.7-2. 2 mm. Stamens 3; anthers linear 2. 5-3.0 mm long. Style slender, glabrous 2. 5-4.0 
mm; base bulbous; stigmas 3, much shorter than the style, sparsely ciliolate. Nut trigonous, 
tricostate, with somewhat convex sides, obovoid to turbinate, shortly stipitate, umbonulate, 
tuberculate on upper halt, shining black at maturity, 1.2-1. 5 x 1.2-1. 4 mm; epidermal cells obscure, 
oblong to hexagonal in vertical rows. 
Selected specimens from 15 collections examined. NORTHERN TERRITORY: Negri River area 
(17° 10’ S, 129° 15’ E), 4 May 1974, C.R. Dunlop 41 10 (DNA, NT); Tanami Desert (20° 1 1’ S, 
129° 43’ E), 3 July 1980, P.K. Latz 8399 (AD, CANB, DNA, MEL, NSW, PERTH); Frankema 
Rise, 9 km W of Rabbit Flat (20° 10’ S 129° 53’ E), 5 July 1983, P.K. Latz 9570 (BRI, DNA, K, 
NSW). 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 33 miles [53 km] S of Sturt Creek Homstead (19° 39’ S, 128° 12’ 
E), 20 July 1973, P.K. Latz 4032 (BRI, CANB, DNA, PERTH); above Dales Gorge, Hamersley 
Ranges National Park (22° 20’ S, 118° 35’ E), 8 Aug. 1974, A.C. Beauglehole 48607 (DNA, 
PERTH); 6.5 km NE of Mary River Crossing, Great Northern Highway (18° 41 ’ S, 126° 42’ E), 19 
June 1976, A.C. Beauglehole 43249 (DNA, PERTH); White Mountain Hills, near Ord River 
Station, East Kimberley (17° 16’ S, 128° 58’ E), 20 April 1977, R. Pullen n.v. (CANB n.v., DNA). 
Distribution. F. simulans occurs over a wide area of the semi-arid zone of the Northern Territory 
and Western Australia between 17° and 22° S. 
Habitat. This species mostly occurs on gravelly slopes dominated by Triodia spp. and Eucalyptus 
brevifolia or E. leucophloia. It appears to be most common the first year after fire. 
Affinities. F. simulans is closely related to F. cardiocarpa F. Muell. and its allies but it is 
characterized by its wide, hyaline, leaf-sheath margins, its glabrous leaves (± scabrid on the 
margins), its fertile glumes with a single central nerve which is produced into a distinct mucro, and 
its dark obovoid nut. 
Conservation status. Not considered rare or endangered. 
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to its similarity to the other plants in this difficult group of 
species with solitary, gland-dotted spikelets. 
Comments on other Species 
Fimbristylis cephalophora F. Muell., Fragm. 1: 196 (1859). Type : Upper Victoria River, Northern 
Territory,/ 7 . Mueller s.n. (holo: MEL n.v.; iso: BRI, KEW n.v.). 
F. oligocephala Fitzg., Roy. Soc. Western Australia 3: 120 (1918). Type : Packhorse Range, 
Western Australia, W.V. Fitzgerald s.n. (holo: PERTH). 
Blake (1969, 7-10) clarified the confusion that occurs between F.furva R. Br., F. capitata R. Br. 
and F. cephalophora in Bentham (1878). In his description of F. oligocephala , Fitzgerald did not 
provide features that distinguish it from other species. Having examined type material of both of 
the above species, I am of the opinion that F. oligocephala should be considered conspecific with 
F . cephalophora. 
Fimbristylis furva R. Br., Prodr. 228 (1810) Type : Booby Island and Endeavour River, 
Queensland, J. Banks & D. Solander s.n. (holo: BM, fragment n.v. and photo BRI; iso: BRI, MEL 
n.v.). 
