Desmocladus virgatus (Benth.) B.G.Briggs & L.A.S.Johnson

Scientific Description

Rhizomes tufted, hairy. Basal sheath glabrous, dull, striate. Culms terete, internal structure (at base of culm) hollow, glabrous, not striate, not marbled, not fasciculate. Culm 240-300 mm long. Sheaths (including blade) spreading, dull, striate, hairy or glabrous, margins not translucent. Apex elongated, glabrous. Dioecious (with separate male and female plants). Male and female inflorescences similar, posture (male inflorescences only) More or less erect, Culms branched below the inflorescence. Male spikelet 4-5.5 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, Outer bract 3-3.3 mm long, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Perianth glabrous. 2.2-2.5 mm long. Inner bract glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Inner bract 3.3-4 mm long. Filament 2.3-2.5 mm long. Anther 1-1.2 mm long. Female spikelet 4.6-5.7 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Outer bract 4.7-5 mm long. Perianth glabrous. 3.7-6 mm long. Inner bracts 4-6 mm long, glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Style one, arising centrally from the ovary apex. 4.3-6 mm long. Fruit indehiscent (nut). Flowering Time August, September, October or November. Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregions Geraldton Sandplain, Swan Coastal Plain, Avon Wheatbelt or Jarrah Forest.