Calamagrostis chrysantha

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 17–50 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 7–18 mm long; acuminate. Leaf-blades involute; 5–15 cm long; 2–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; oblong; 2.5–6 cm long; 1.3–2 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–7.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes elongated below proximal fertile floret. Floret callus bearded. Floret callus hairs 1 length of lemma.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex entire, or dentate; 2 -fid; acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–7.5 mm long; 1.3–1.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex entire, or dentate; 2 -fid; acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3.8–4.5 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.2–0.25 way up back of lemma; straight; 2–3 mm long overall. Rhachilla extension 0.6–1.2 mm long; pilose; hairy in the middle; with 2–3.5 mm long hairs.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 2 mm long. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform. Disseminule comprising a floret.

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

NOTES Aveneae. Tovar 1995.

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