Alopecurus hitchcockii

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms decumbent; 20–40 cm long. Leaf-sheaths inflated; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3 mm long; acuminate. Leaf-blades 5–12 cm long; 1–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or oblong; 1.5–3.5 cm long; 0.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets on axis. Panicle axis with rounded ribs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–3.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes free; similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume oblong; 3–3.2 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple, or black; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume oblong; 3–3.2 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple, or black; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex truncate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3–3.2 mm long; membranous; keeled; 4 -veined. Lemma apex truncate; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.33 way up back of lemma; straight; 1–1.5 mm long overall; not or scarcely exserted from spikelet. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform. Disseminule comprising a spikelet.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr Peru 1997.

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