Calamagrostis aurea

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 20–40 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 6–15 mm long; acuminate. Leaf-blades 8–15 cm long; 2–5 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade apex abruptly acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; oblong; 6–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending. Panicle axis dominant. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded. Floret callus hairs 1 length of lemma.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume linear; 3.5–4.5 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume linear; 4–5 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.25 way up back of lemma; straight; 5–6 mm long overall. Rhachilla extension 0.5–1 mm long; pilose.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 0.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. WDC 2004.

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