Agrostis continuata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–70 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 8–25 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 5–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–5 mm long; 1.1–1.2 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–4.5 mm long; 1.2–1.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2–2.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins excurrent. Lemma surface glabrous, or pilose. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.2–0.25 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 2–4 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 0.25–0.33 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1–1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear. Endosperm farinose.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: east tropical, southern tropical, and south.

NOTES Aveneae. FTEA.

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