Cornucopiae alopecuroides

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 6–20 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 4–12 cm long; 1–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; terminal and axillary; deciduous as a whole; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath; embraced at base by subtending leaf. Peduncle straight (inflated); expanded into a conical flask at apex (5–6mm long, entire or crenate); disarticulating; disarticulating above uppermost sheath; base blunt.

Panicle capitate; ovate, or globose; 0.8–2 cm long; 0.5–1 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–7.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes connate along margins below (to the middle); similar; exceeding apex of florets; shiny. Lower glume oblong; 6–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume surface pubescent; hairy on veins. Lower glume apex acute; mucronate. Upper glume oblong; 6–7 mm long; 1.1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface pubescent; hairy on veins. Upper glume apex acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 5–6 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma margins connate below. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.1 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 12–15 mm long overall; clearly exserted from spikelet; with twisted column. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Pal.

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