Aristida L. (Poaceae, Aristideae) in Australia.

Abstract

A morphological study, based on types and a range of representative material, is presented for 47 species and 1 variety constituting the genus Aristida in Australia as accepted here. Inherent problems of extreme variability and areas of complexity suggest a need for genetic solutions. A. intricata Blake, A. contorta var. hirsuta (Henr.) Eichler, A. ramosa var. scaberula Henr. and A. ramosa var. speciosa Henr. are reduced to synonymy. The following are reported as new or confirmed records: A. exserta Blake in Western ~ustralia; A. calycina R.Br., A. holathera Domin and A. polyclados Domin in Western Australia and Northern Territory; A. latifolia Domin, A, nitidula (Henr.) Blake ex Black and A. jerichoensis (Domin) Henr. var. jerichoensis in New South Wales; A. jerichoensis var. subspinulijera Henr. in South Australia; A. utilis F. M. Bail., A. perniciosa Domin, A. longicollis (Domin) Henr., A, hirta Domin, A. helicophylla Blake, A. superpendens Domin and A. sciuroides Domin in the Northern Territory. Published records of the following require deletion or confirmation: A. jerichoensis and A. gracilipes Henr. in the Northern Territory; A. biglandulosa Black and A. schultzii Mez in Queensland; A. echinata Henr. in Northern Territory and South Australia; A. ingrata Domin, A. longicollis (Domin) Henr, and A. armata Henr. in New South Wales.