Agrostis lenis

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms decumbent; weak; 40–80 cm long; 6–10 -noded; rooting from lower nodes. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–4 mm long; erose; truncate. Leaf-blades involute; 5–12 cm long; 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 10–24 cm long; 5–8 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 2–5 -nate; whorled at most nodes; rebranched at middle. Panicle axis with lower internodes 3–8 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1.5–5 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 1.5–2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent; hairy in 2 tufts.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5–2 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.5–2 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 1–1.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex erose; truncate; muticous. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.3–0.6 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid, or ovoid; sulcate on hilar side; 0.8–1 mm long; dark brown. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Agrasar 1995.

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