Calamagrostis ovata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 12–40 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 6–15 mm long; acuminate. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 3–10 cm long; 1.3–4.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath.

Panicle capitate; ovate; 0.2–0.6 cm long; 0.2–0.3 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels pubescent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 7.8–13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes elongated below proximal fertile floret. Floret callus bearded. Floret callus hairs 3–4 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume linear; 7.8–13 mm long; 2.1–2.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3.3–4.3 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma surface smooth, or scaberulous; rough below. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.33 way up back of lemma; straight; 3–5 mm long overall. Rhachilla extension 0.8–1.3 mm long; pilose; with 1–2 mm long hairs.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 0.6 mm long. Stigmas 2.

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

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Tovar 1995.

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