Austrostipa crinita
Encyclopedia
Austrostipa crinita is a species of grass that grows in coastal parts of midwest Western Australia
.
s.
in Western Australia
by Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré
, botanist to the expedition of Louis de Freycinet
. It was published by Gaudichaud-Beaupré in 1829 under the name Stipa crinita. That name remained current until 1996, when the Australian species of Stipa
were recognised as meriting their own genus. Thus Austrostipa
was erected, and this and other species were transferred into it.
.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
.
Description
It is a tufted perennial grass from 40 centimetres to 70 centimetres in height. Flowers are yellow or brown. It reproduces asexually by short rhizomeRhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
s.
Taxonomy
It was first collected from Shark BayShark Bay
Shark Bay is a World Heritage listed bay in Western Australia. The term may also refer to:* the locality of Shark Bay, now known as Denham* Shark Bay Marine Park* Shark Bay , a shark exhibit at Sea World, Gold Coast, Australia* Shire of Shark Bay...
in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
by Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré
Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré
Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré was a French botanist.He was born in Angoulême, the son of J-J. Gaudichaud and Rose Gaudichaud. He studied pharmacology at Cognac and Angoulême. He also studied chemistry and herbology.His greatest claim to fame was serving as botanist on a circumglobal expedition from...
, botanist to the expedition of Louis de Freycinet
Louis de Freycinet
Louis Claude de Saulces de Freycinet was a French navigator. He circumnavigated the earth, and was one of the first to produce a comprehensive map of the coastline of Australia.-Biography:...
. It was published by Gaudichaud-Beaupré in 1829 under the name Stipa crinita. That name remained current until 1996, when the Australian species of Stipa
Stipa
This article is about a type of grass.For Speech Transmission Index for Public Address Systems, see Speech transmission index.For the Italian aircraft designer, see Luigi Stipa...
were recognised as meriting their own genus. Thus Austrostipa
Austrostipa
Austrostipa is a genus of grass, with about 70 species.The genus includes Australasian species formerly included in the genus Stipa.Species include:*Austrostipa crinita...
was erected, and this and other species were transferred into it.
Distribution and habitat
It occurs on sand and limestone in coastal areas of midwest Western Australia, including offshore islands such as those of the Houtman AbrolhosHoutman Abrolhos
The Houtman Abrolhos is a chain of 122 islands, and associated coral reefs, in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia. Nominally located at , it lies about eighty kilometres west of Geraldton, Western Australia...
.