Cleistochloa
3 species endemic Aust.; Qld, NSW
Cleistochloa rigida
Spikelets of 2 kinds, one kind chasmogamous (opening); the other cleistogamous (not opening). Both kinds of spikelets oblong-elliptic, acuminate or mucronate, dorsally compressed, disarticulating above the glumes; both types with 1 bisexual floret and a sterile lemma below it. Chasmogamous spikelets borne singly in spike-like racemes; spikelets c. 5 mm long, c. 1.5 mm wide; lower glume hyaline, up to 0.35 mm long or absent; upper glume a little shorter than the spikelet. Cleistogamous spikelets solitary at the apex of short densely leafy branches of the culms; spikelets 5–7 mm long, 1.5–2 mm wide; lower glume absent; upper glume slightly shorter than the spikelet. Densely tufted perennial with short rhizomes, up to 1 m high. Culms 7–10-noded, robust, densely or loosely hirsute; nodes bearded. Leaf blades 2–8 cm long, 2–3 mm wide, xeromorphic, c. 3 times as long as the sheaths. Widespread. Dry sandstone ridges. Fl. summer