The third volume to be published in a projected set of four volumes by ABRS on the grasses of Australia, Volume 44A of the Flora of Australia documents four subfamilies of the grass family Poaceae, describing 77 genera and 405 species.
- Flora of Australia Volume 43—Poaceae 1, Introduction and Atlas
- Flora of Australia Volume 44B—Poaceae 3
- Flora of Australia Volume 44C
The largest subfamily is the Pooideae, a predominantly temperate group with many annual species. It includes the large endemic genus Austrostipa, an important component of native pastures, but one which also contaminates wool and injures stock with its penetrating “seeds”. Poa, also largely endemic, grows mainly in southern areas of Australia, and is characteristic of higher altitudes. The subfamily also includes our most important grain crops, Wheat, Barley, Rye and Oats, and introduced temperate pasture grasses. There are also many weedy genera such as Briza and the economically significant Nassella.
The largely tropical Bambusoideae are poorly represented in Australia, with only three native species and another three naturalised. Many ornamental species of “bamboo” are grown in Australia, but few have become naturalised. Also tropical is the subfamily Pharoideae. It includes Leptaspis, with its strange inflated florets, the subject of the cover painting. The final subfamily, the Ehrhartoideae, contains another important grain crop, Rice, as well as the widespread weedy genus Ehrharta.
Thirty-three authors, illustrators and photographers have contributed to this volume.
Errata
Page ix, Contributors to Volume 44A, under Photographers:
Additional text: Mr I.Clarke,
c/- National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria 3141.
Page xii, Plate 1. Austrostipa variabilis:
Original caption: Photograph — Murray Fagg.
Corrected caption: Photograph — Rosemary Purdie.
Page xiv, Plate 10. Avena sterilis:
Original caption: Photograph — Kevin Thiele.
Corrected caption: Photograph — Ian Clarke.
About this book
Book series
Flora of Australia
Publisher
Australian Biological Resources Study/
CSIRO Publishing
Year
In press
Authors
Various Authors, Illustrators & Photographers
Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978 0 643 09629 5
Softcover
ISBN-13: 978 0 643 09630 1
Size
250 × 176 mm (B5)
Number of pages
xvi + 410 pages
index, glossary, bibliography
Binding
Hardcover and Softcover
section stitched
Illustrations
44 colour plates
52 black and white plates
441 maps
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This book is available from bookshops which stock botanical titles or CSIRO Publishing
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