Crypsis ambigua

HABIT Annual; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 5–10 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 7–15 cm long; 4–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation prominent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or lanceolate; 0.7–1.5 cm long; 0.5–0.7 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with lateral stumps on axis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets well-developed (at base of inflorescence).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4.1–5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 2.5–3.3 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1.3–1.7 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4.1–5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 1 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2.5–3.3 mm long overall. Palea 2.5 mm long; 2 -veined. Palea apex obtuse.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3; 1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; ellipsoid; 1.5 mm long; apex unappendaged.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Lorch 1998.

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