Desmazeria sicula

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 8–25 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.4–2.5 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades 2–13 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; oblong; unilateral; 2–4 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.5–1 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 8–20 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 5–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes obscured by lemmas.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 2.5–3 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–3.5 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5–4 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; 7 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma lateral veins with distinct primaries but obscure intermediates. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below; with capitate hairs. Lemma hairs 0.2 mm long. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged; ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; dorsally compressed; concavo-convex. Embryo 0.33 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Africa: north.

NOTES Poeae. WDC.

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