Leptaspis banksii R. Br.

Perennial, caespitose from short rhizome. Culms erect, 40–60 cm tall. Leaf sheaths clustered at base, longer than internodes, strongly ribbed, laterally compressed, pubescent along keel upward; leaf blades lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 15–30 × 1.5–3.5 cm, abaxial (upper) surface glabrous, adaxial (lower) surface pubescent, base attenuate into a 1–3 cm pseudopetiole, apex acute; ligule 0.3–0.5 mm. Panicle very narrow, 15–35 cm, densely hairy with short hooked hairs; branches inserted singly, erect or ascending, lowest 2–7 cm. Female spikelet: glumes subequal, broadly ovate, 1.5–2.3 mm, cuspidate; mature lemma globose, 3.5–5 mm, pink or purplish, asymmetrical, densely pubescent, hairs weakly hooked, 7-ribbed, ribs white or green; palea ca. 1/2 lemma length, base flat, upper part sulcate, apex 2-lobed. Male spikelet: lemma ovate, 2–3 mm, pubescent along veins; anthers 1.8–2.5 mm.

Forests, in shade. S Taiwan [Indonesia, New Guinea, Philippines; NE Australia, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands].

Leptaspis cumingii Steudel; L. formosana C. Hsu; L. ses-silis Ohwi; L. umbrosa Balansa.