Monachather

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 30–70 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 8–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 11–13 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 11–13 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 9 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pilose; with a transverse fringe of hair. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.66 of lemma length; attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus. Palea 0.33 length of lemma; coriaceous; 0 -veined; without keels. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear; 0.25 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.