Enneapogon intermedius

HABIT Perennial. Butt sheaths pilose. Culms 30–70 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or hirsute. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle antrorsely scabrous above.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or oblong; continuous, or interrupted; 5–9 cm long; 1.5–2.4 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.5–6.6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 3.5–4.5 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7–16 -veined. Lower glume surface asperulous; pilose; with capitate hairs. Lower glume apex entire, or erose; truncate, or obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 4.5–6.6 mm long; 1.8–2.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 7–11 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose; with capitate hairs. Upper glume apex entire, or erose; truncate, or obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma orbicular; 2–3.6 mm long; cartilaginous; of similar consistency on margins, or much thinner on margins; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below; inner surface transversely fringed. Lemma margins eciliate, or ciliate. Lemma apex dentate; 9 -fid; awned; 9 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3.6–6 mm long overall; 1.5–1.8 length of lemma; limb plumose; glabrescent towards tip. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; subequal to principal; of unequal width (mid and outer wider); plumose. Palea 1 length of lemma; membranous. Palea keels ciliate; adorned above; with 0.5–0.75 of their length adorned. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back and on flanks; hairy all along. Palea apex obtuse, or acute. Rhachilla extension pubescent; hairy at tip. Apical sterile florets 1–3 in number; barren. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 9 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns ciliate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid, or obovoid; concavo-convex; 1.3–2.2 mm long. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Pappophoreae. Kakudidi.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Lemma hairs exceeding base of awns.

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