Bromus pitensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 20–90 cm long. Leaf-sheaths hirsute. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–25 cm long; 3–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 2–9 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets laterally compressed; 19–23 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 5.5–6.5 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 8–10 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 6–7 -veined. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 3–5 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America and western South America.

NOTES Bromeae. Gr Peru 2004.

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