Brachyachne ciliaris

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms decumbent; 5–25 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 1–3 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy on both sides; with tubercle-based hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; unilateral; 3–4 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 3–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; with lower wider than upper; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; parallel to lemmas. Lower glume oblong; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface grooved on either side of midvein. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 3–4 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 2–2.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; with a transverse fringe of hair. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate; adorned in the middle.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid; 1–1.5 mm long; pitted. Embryo 0.5–0.75 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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