Agrostis australiensis

HABIT Annual; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; slender; 8–20 cm long; 2 -noded. Leaves basal and cauline. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; striately veined; scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades aciculate; 1–3 cm long; 1 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; pyramidal. Primary panicle branches 2–3 -nate. Panicle branches capillary; scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2.3–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.3–3 mm long; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2–2.7 mm long; 1.2–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 1.7–2 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins extending close to apex. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma apex truncate; muticous. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.3–0.4 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Aveneae. Vickery 1994.

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