Dimeria acinaciformis

HABIT Annual. Culms 10–40 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths keeled; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2–4 cm long; 1.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; unilateral; 3–4 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.5 mm wide; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels cuneate; flattened; 0.5 mm long; glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 5 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus oblong; 0.5–1 mm long; pilose; base obtuse. Spikelet callus hairs 0.5–1 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous; eciliate. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; coriaceous; with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; winged on keel; winged above; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliolate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; hyaline; 0 -veined; without midvein; without lateral veins; ciliate on margins; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 12 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn glabrous. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Anthers 2; 0.7 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Andropogoneae. Hackel 1994.

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