Bromus ceramicus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 40–60 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; truncate, or obtuse. Leaf-blades 10–15 cm long; 2–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 6–12 fertile spikelets. Peduncle glabrous.

Panicle open; nodding; 8–12 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches 2–3 -nate; bearing 1–2 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle axis scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 7–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets laterally compressed; 17–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1.5–2 mm long; pilose. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–5.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–9 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 4–6 mm long overall. Palea 7 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long. Ovary with a fleshy appendage above style insertion; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 7 mm long; hairy at apex; apex fleshy. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Malesia.

NOTES Bromeae. Veldkamp 1997.

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