A REVISION OF ERAGROSTIS (ERAGROSTIDEAE, ELEUSININAE, POACEAE) IN AUSTRALIA

Based on characters of gross morphology, a taxonomic revision is prese nted of the Australian taxa of Eragrostis Wolf, comprising 69 endemic and exotic species distributed in six groups. Seventeen species are pr oposed as new. Ten taxa are hereby reduced to synonymy. Lectotypes are designated for 11 species. New distribution records include E. atrovi rens for Australia, E. schultzii for Western Australia E. leptocarpa a nd E. pergracilis for Victoria, E. minor for New South Wales, and E. s terilis for New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Polymorphy and interspecific gradation are inherent problems in the taxonomy of the genus. Also, apparent evolutionary characters such as mode of spikelet disarticulation can be inconsistent and difficult to interpret. Featu res of the caryopsis relating to 3-dimensional shapes, compression, su rface markings, and an adnate or free pericarp are among the most usef ul characters for identification purposes. Cleistogamy occurs in many species, but is not reflected in spikelet morphology. Eragrostis curvu la is recorded as an apomict.