New taxa, nomenclatural changes, notes on Australian grasses in the tribe Paniceae (Poaceae: Panicoideae)

Abstract

Arthragrostis brassiana B.K.Simon, Digitaria basaltica B.K.Simon, Digitaria cowiei B.K.Simon, Digitaria dolleryi B.K.Simon, Digitaria sharpeana B.K.Simon, Digitaria veldkampiana B.K.Simon, Entolasia minutifolia B.K.Simon, Isachne sharpii B.K.Simon, Paspalidium johnsonii B.K.Simon and Pseudoraphis jagonis B.K.Simon are diagnosed as new species. Pseudoraphis minuta var. laevis B.K.Simon and Arthragroslis brassiana var. minutiflora B.K.Simon are diagnosed as new varieties. New combinations and changes of status are provided for Cenchrus brevisetosus (B.K.Simon) B.K.Simon, Oplismenus mollis (Domin) Clifford & Evans ex B.K.Simon, Setaria pumila subsp. subtesselata (Buse) B.K.Simon, Urochloa occidentalis (C.A.Gardner & C.E.Hubb.) B.K.Simon, Urochloa occidentalis var. ciliata (C.A.Gardner & C.E.Hubb.) B.K.Simon and Urochloa gilesii var. nothochthona (Domin) B.K.Simon. All Pennisetum species have recently been placed in synonymy with Cenchrus and the name changes that apply to taxa occurring in Australia are listed. Cenchrus spinifex Cav. is the correct name for what has been called C. incertus M.A.Curtis. Two more species of Cyrtococcum, C. patens (L.) A.Camus and C. accrescens (Trin.) Stapf are reported as occurring in Australia. Two species of Digitaria Hall., D. diminuta Hughes and D. fumida S.T.Blake, are removed from the synonymy of D. breviglumis (Domin) Henrard; the latter species has been recircumscribed to include a species previously known under the phrase name Digitaria sp. (Mt Mulligan J.R.Clarkson 5821). Keys and descriptions are given to the species D. breviglumis, D. diminuta, D. fumida and D. orbata Hughes. Isachne minutula (Gaudich.) Kunth is the correct name of a species previously referred to in Australia as I. pulchella auct. non Roth. The genus Plagiosetum Benth. is resurrected from synonymy with Paractaenum P.Beauv. Brachiaria occidentalis var. ciliaris C.A.Gardner & C.E.Hubb., Oplismenus undulatifolius var. molle Domin and Pseudoraphis minuta (Mez) Pilger are lectotypified.