Lachnagrostis rudis

HABIT Annual; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms geniculately ascending; 60–80 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Culm-internodes antrorsely scabrous. Leaf-sheaths loose; antrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 10–15 cm long; 3.5–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 20–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; whorled at most nodes. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels clavate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous, or sparsely hairy.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5 mm long; 1.2 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; hyaline; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure; extending close to apex. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; straight; 0.5–1 mm long overall. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; hyaline. Rhachilla extension 0.6 mm long; pilose; with 0.7 mm long hairs.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 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.