Derivation
From Greek erion (wool) and achne (chaff or scale), possibly referring to the florets being hairy or else to the indumentum of the whole plant.

basedowii- in honour of Herbert Basedow (1881–1933). South Australian geologist.

Published in
J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 52: 344 (1942).

Habit
Perennial, tufted. Basal leaf sheaths woolly. Culms erect, 35–80 cm tall, wiry. Mid-culm nodes pubescent. Lateral branches simple. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or pilose. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades erect, filiform, involute, 5–32 cm long, 1–2 mm wide, rigid. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, glabrous or hispid. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

Inflorescence
Inflorescence compound, a panicle, terminal. Peduncle scaberulous above. Panicle contracted or spiciform, linear, 2.5–6 cm long, 0.7–1 cm wide.

Spikelets
Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, comprising 2 fertile florets, without rhachilla extension, ovate, slightly laterally compressed, 7 mm long, breaking up at maturity. Spikelets disarticulating below each fertile floret.

Glumes
Glumes opposite, persistent, similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate or oblong, 6.5–8 mm long, equalling upper glume, membranous, 9-nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous or villous, with tubercle-based hairs. Lower glume apex obtuse or acute. Upper glume lanceolate or oblong, 7 mm long, membranous, 9-nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous or villous, with tubercle-based hairs. Upper glume apex obtuse or acute.

Florets
Fertile lemma lanceolate, laterally compressed, 6–8 mm long, chartaceous or cartilaginous, 5–7-nerved. Lemma lateral nerves prominent. Lemma surface scaberulous, rough above, with 2 longitudinal grooves, villous. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute,1-awned. Median (principal) awn straight, 1.5–3 mm long overall. Palea lanceolate, 100% of length of lemma, chartaceous. Palea surface scabrous, glabrous or pubescent or villous, hairy above or in the middle or below, with turgid hairs. Palea apex entire or dentate, 2-fid, acuminate, muticous. Grain with adherent pericarp, 3–4 mm long.

Continental Distribution:
Australasia.

Australian Distribution:
Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf, Victoria River.

Classification. (GPWG 2001):
Incertae Sedis: Eriachneae

Notes
Endemic. Distributed in N.T. N of 16ºS. Flowers and fruits Mar.–Aug. (autumn and winter).