| 1. | Spikelets 7.5-11 mm long | P. paradoxa (NSW VIC QLD) |
| Spikelets less than 7 mm long | 2 | |
| 2. | Mature inflorescence longer than 5 cm long with primary branches at least 3 cm long; upper glume 7-11-nerved |
P. spinescens (NSW VIC NT SA WA QLD) P. aspera, P. abortiva |
| Mature inflorescence 3-5 cm long with primary branches less than 3 cm long; upper glume 13-15-nerved |
3 | |
|
3.
4. |
Leaf blades 0.5-1.5 mm wide, attenuate to cuneate at the base; spikelets 4-5 mm long | P. jagonis (QLD) |
| Leaf blades 2-6 mm wide, rounded at the base; spikelets 2.5-3.5 mm long | 4 |
|
| Glumes with tubercle-based hairs | P. minuta var. minuta (QLD) | |
| Glumes smooth (without hairs) | P. minuta var. minuta(QLD) |
Key to Pseudoraphis derived from Webster 1987
Taxonomic name: