Briza erecta

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 17–20 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–4 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 10–20 cm long; 1–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib scarcely raised beneath. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 3–7 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1.5 mm long; glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 8–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets orbicular; laterally compressed; 8–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.1–0.2 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 3.5–4.5 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3.7–5 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblate; auriculate at base; 5.5–7 mm long; 5.5–7 mm wide; coriaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; keeled; winged on margins; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 0.5–1 mm long overall. Palea orbicular; 2.6–3 mm long; 0.5 length of lemma; coriaceous; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; 2–2.7 mm long; membranous; truncate. Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 2 mm long. Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. Mathei 1994.

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