A new Leptochloa (Poaceae : Chloridoideae) from Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands of Australia

Leptochloa simoniana N. Snow is newly described from Papua New Guinea and B oigu Island in the Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia. A key and tabular diagnosis are provided for L. simoniana and morphologically similar congene ric species. It most resembles the sub-Saharan species L. coerulescens. Its chief diagnostic features are the long-sericeous to arachnose hairs at the apex of the callus and the densely scabrous adaxial and abaxial leaf surfa ces. The species is currently known from only three sites and is thus consi dered vulnerable.