Zygochloa

Zygochloa paradoxa

Zygochloa paradoxa is a species of grass endemic to Australia and shapes the grasslands north of Lake Eyre. It is the only species of the genus Zygochloa.

Features

Zygochloa is a zweihäusiges, perennial grass that forms dense clumps. The clumps are up to 1.5 meters high with a diameter of one meter. The blades can be high and tube- like with a diameter of up to eight millimeters to 200 centimeters.

The leaves are short and are often thrown off when dry. The ligule is a fringe of hair of one millimeter in length.

The inflorescences are dense, round ears with short internodes. The ears are dimorphic and single standing. A spikelet consists of two flowers. The male ears have one to two centimeters in diameter. Your spikelets have two male flowers with three stamens, a gynoecium is missing. The female ears have a diameter of 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters. In their spikelets, the lower flower is sterile, the upper has staminodes and one ovary with a long, sleek style and feathered scar.

Dissemination

The species is endemic to Australia. It occurs mainly in the arid interior to the north of Lake Eyre before. It grows over especially the sand dunes, such as the Simpson Desert.

Documents

• Genus and species in New South Wales Flora Online
• L. Watson, M. J. Dallwitz: The grass genera of the world: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval; including synonyms, morphology, anatomy, physiology, phytochemistry, cytology, classification, pathogens, world and local distribution, and references. Version: 28th November 2005 URL.