Common name
Matgrass

Derivation
Nardus L., Sp. Pl. 53 (1753); indirectly from the Greek nardos, the classical name for Spikenard (Valerianaceae). This came to be applied to other aromatic plants including grasses (e.g. Cymbopogon nardus), then by other associations to non-aromatic grasses, and finally by Linnaeus to several grasses with spicate inflorescences (see Bor 1968).

stricta- Latin for erect. Inflorescence branches erect.

Published in
Sp. Pl. 53 (1753).

Habit
Perennial, tufted. Rhizomes short. Basal leaf sheaths persistent and investing base of culm, with compacted dead sheaths. Culms erect, 10–40(–60) cm tall, wiry, 1-noded. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 1–2 mm long, membranous, translucent, truncate. Leaf-blades filiform, involute, 4–30 cm long, 0.5–1 mm wide, coriaceous, rigid.

Inflorescence
Inflorescence solid, a raceme. Raceme 1, linear, unilateral, 3–8 cm long. Rhachis semiterete, 0.8 mm wide, scaberulous on margins, terminating in a barren bristle-like extension. Spikelet packing abaxial, regular, 2-rowed.

Spikelets
Spikelets appressed, solitary. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret, without rhachilla extension, lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 5–9 mm long, breaking up at maturity. Spikelets disarticulating below each fertile floret.

Glumes
Glumes one, the upper absent or obscure, persistent. Lower glume ovate, 0.1–1 mm long, 10–50% of length of spikelet.

Florets
Fertile lemma lanceolate, 5–9 mm long, coriaceous, 3-nerved. Lemma midnerve scaberulous. Lemma lateral nerves prominent. Lemma surface scaberulous, rough on nerves. Lemma apex acute, 1-awned. Median (principal) awn 1–3 mm long overall. Palea linear or oblong, 4–6 mm long, 90% of length of lemma, 2-nerved. Palea surface smooth, glabrous or pubescent. Anthers 3, 3.5–4 mm long. Stigmas 1, papillose. Grain with adherent pericarp, fusiform, 3–4 mm long. Embryo 15% of length of grain. Hilum linear.

Continental Distribution:
Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Australasia, North America, South America.

Australian Distribution:
Tasmania: West Coast.

Classification. (GPWG 2001):
Pooideae: Nardeae

Notes
Introduced from Europe into Tasmania, where it is uncommon in swampy areas on flood plains of the King River near Gormaston and south of Queenstown.