Dissanthelium breve

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 6–8 cm long. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades ascending; conduplicate; 2–5 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation distinct. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; shorter than basal leaves.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 2–3 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–3.7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.3 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.5–3.7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–3.7 mm long; 1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.5–2.6 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner above; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface hispidulous. Lemma apex truncate. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5–0.6 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Endosperm farinose.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Swallen.

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