Amphipogon setaceus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–60 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 15–25 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle capitate; globose; 1–2.5 cm long; 1 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets on axis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets absent, or rudimentary; 0–3 in number.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 2.5–3 mm long. Upper glume elliptic; 7 mm long; 1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 3–5 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins involute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 4–5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns 2–2.5 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid; acuminate; awned; awns 2 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–3.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with tardily free pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Arundineae. WDC.

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