Dichelachne lautumia

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms 45–60 cm long. Culm-nodes green, or purple; pubescent. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; striately veined. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.7–1 mm long; scaberulous on abaxial surface; erose; truncate. Leaf-blades 6–20 cm long; 1.5–3 mm wide; grey-green. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; grooved adaxially; scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 10–16 cm long; 1–1.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets laterally compressed; 6–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity. Floret callus evident; bearded. Floret callus hairs 4 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar. Lower glume lanceolate, or elliptic; 3–6 mm long; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate, or elliptic; 3–6 mm long; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma 6–7 mm long; cartilaginous. Lemma surface papillose; rough above. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; with lobes 0.5–1 mm long; acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 8–12 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn hirsute. Palea keels scabrous. Palea surface pilose; hairy above. Rhachilla extension 0.5 mm long.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; 0.5 mm long; ciliate. Anthers 3; 1–1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis 3.5 mm long. Embryo 0.15 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: New Zealand.

NOTES Aveneae. Edgar & Connor 2001.

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