Sacciolepis indica (L.) Chase
Slender almost glabrous annuals, in erect tufts, or decumbent and rooting at lower nodes. Leaf-sheath firmly membranous, rounded. Ligule 0.1-0.2 mm, a membranous, sparsely, short-ciliate rim. Collar hairs short. Leaf-blade 5-10 cm × 2.5-3-(4) mm, narrow-linear, rounded-truncate at base, tapered above, herbaceous, flat, midrib prominent, glabrous; margins very minutely scabrid, tip long, acuminate. Culm 40-60-(70) cm, slender, internodes glabrous. Panicle 3.5-8 cm × c. 5 mm, spike-like, cylindric, erect, with densely crowded spikelets; rachis angular, glabrous; branches numerous, very short, closely appressed to adnate, with spikelets on short, glabrous pedicels widened at apex to minute, concave cup. Spikelets 2.5-3 mm, greyish green, elliptic, acute, ± gibbous. Glumes membranous, strongly nerved, very unequal, glabrous; lower 1.5-1.8 mm, (3)-5-nerved, upper 2.5-3 mm, 9-nerved, gibbous towards base. Lower floret Ø: lemma similar in texture to and ≈ upper glume, 7-9-nerved, oblong, obtuse, hardly inflated at base; palea < 1 mm, very narrow, stiff. Upper floret ⚥: lemma c. 1.5 mm, elliptic, acute, very shining, cream, nerves not visible, thinly crustaceous, margins closely enfolding palea; palea of same texture as lemma but slightly shorter; anthers 0.6-0.8 mm, deep reddish purple; stigmas deep reddish purple; caryopsis c. 1.5 mm.
N.: North Auckland (North Cape to Kaitaia); K.: Raoul Id, rare. Rough pasture (Raoul Id), damp ground near roadsides (North Auckland).
Naturalised.
Indigenous to tropical Asia, Polynesia, western and northern Australia.
