Ehrharta longiflora

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 15–60 cm long; without nodal roots, or rooting from lower nodes. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 5–15 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; loose; 10–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2–3 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 4–6 mm long; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets similar; barren; without significant palea; attached to and deciduous with the fertile. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; 8–10 mm long; 1 length of fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; rugose; attenuate; awned. Awn of lower sterile floret 2–12 mm long. Lemma of upper sterile floret oblong; basally constricted; 9–12 mm long; 1.1 length of lower sterile floret; coriaceous; rugose above; attenuate; awned. Awn of upper sterile floret 2–12 mm long. Fertile lemma oblong; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; keeled. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south. Australasia: Australia and New Zealand.

NOTES Ehrharteae. Chippindall.

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