Lachnagrostis eriantha

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 30–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; conduplicate; 9–18 cm long; 1–2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle branches stiff; straight.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3.5–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.5–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3.5–5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins excurrent. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; truncate; awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 5–8 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Palea 0.75 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3.

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

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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