The genus Lachnagrostis (Gramineae) in Australia

Abstract

Lemma epidermal features were examined in species of Agrostis, Deyeuxia and Calamagrostis. As a result the genus Lachnagrostis is recognised and new combinations provided for L. adamsonii, L. aequata, L. collicola, L. drummondiana, L. lacunis, L. limitanea, L. meionectes, L. punicea and L. robusta. A key distinguishing Lachnagrostis from the related genera Dichelachne, Deyeuxia, Agrostis is given, along with a characterisation of the four genera. Synonymy is provided for the other species of Lachnagrostis recognised in Australia. It is concluded that both Deyeuxia and Calamagrostis are diverse and highly variable and little is to be gained by combining them at this stage though their current circumscriptions are probably suboptimal