| 1. | Upper floret yellow to brown; stipe appendages stiff and hard; perennial | Y. websteri (QLD) |
| Upper floret pale; stipe appendages soft and flexible; annuals | 2 | |
| 2. | Inflorescence mostly overtopped by subtending leaves | 3 |
| Inflorescence exserted above subtending leaves | 5 | |
| 3. | Spikelets 4.7-5.25 mm long | Y. muelleri (NT WA QLD) Ichnanthus muelleri, Panicum muelleri |
| Spikelets 3-4.5 mm long | 4 | |
| 4. | Primary branches appressed to main axis | Y. australiensis var. australiensis (NT SA WA QLD) Ichnanthus australiensis, Panicum australiense |
| Primary branches exserted and spreading | Y. australiensis var. intermedia (NT WA QLD) | |
| 5. | Spikelets 5.5-7 mm long | Y. majuscula (NT WA QLD) Ichnanthus muelleri, Panicum majusculum |
| Spikelets 4-5 mm long | 6 | |
| 6. | Appendages developed at base of fertile floret | Y. pauciflora (NT WA QLD) Ichnanthus pauciflorus, Panicum pauciflorum |
| Appendages absent | Y. nulla (NT) |
Key to Yakirra derived from Lazarides and Webster 1984; Webster
1987; Simon 1992c
Taxonomic name: