Bromus coloratus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 80–130 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches 2–3 -nate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 10–21 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 7.5–9 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 9–11 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 5–7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface glabrous, or puberulous; hairy below. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 5–8 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

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

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia. South America: western South America and southern South America.

NOTES Bromeae. Fl Pat 1995.

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