Chamaeraphis hordeacea

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–60 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded. Leaf-blades 3–10 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; borne along a central axis; closely spaced; in a bilateral false spike; 20–60 cm long; bearing 1 spikelet. Central inflorescence axis 3–5 cm long; flattened. Rhachis deciduous from axis; terminating in a barren extension; extension bristle-like. Spikelet packing abaxial. Raceme-bases linear; 1.5–3 mm long; pubescent; shed with the raceme; pungent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; dorsally compressed; 6–8 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; exceeding apex of florets. Upper glume linear; 6–8 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 2-keeled; 7 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret linear, or oblong; 1 length of spikelet; coriaceous; 7 -veined; scaberulous; rough on veins (above); acute. Fertile lemma lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex acute. Palea cartilaginous; without keels.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Paniceae. WDC.

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