Alexfloydia repens

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms decumbent; 18–24 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades 0.5–6 cm long; 1–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins smooth.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 3–6 fertile spikelets.

Panicle contracted; linear; 1.5 cm long; bearing few spikelets.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels terete; 4–7 mm long; smooth.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3–3.5 mm long; 1.5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2 mm long; 0.66 length of spikelet; chartaceous; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 3 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; chartaceous; without keels; 9 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pilose (sparsely in middle); with tubercle-based hairs. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 3 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; chartaceous; 9 -veined; ribbed; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 1.5 mm long; cartilaginous; yellow; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins flat. Lemma apex acute. Palea gaping; oblong; 1.5 mm long; cartilaginous.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 0.5 mm long. Anthers 3; 2.5 mm long, or 0.8 mm long (upper).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Disseminule comprising a spikelet.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Paniceae. Simon 1993.

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