Stenostachys enysii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms geniculately ascending; weak; 40–80 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; erose; truncate. Collar glabrous. Leaf-blades 2–5 mm wide; flaccid; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; glabrous, or pilose; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 5–13 cm long; bearing 10–18 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1–1.5 mm long; pubescent. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–9 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 6–9 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 7–9 mm long; coriaceous; 3–5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex entire, or dentate; 2 -fid; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn apical, or from a sinus; 1–2 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long; yellow. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: New Zealand.

NOTES Triticeae. Connor 1994.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Callus beard in a complete ring.

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