Eragrostis andicola

HABIT Perennial; short-lived; caespitose. Culms erect; 7–15 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths 1–2 cm long; glabrous on surface; outer margin hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 1–1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 2–5 cm long; 2.5–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong, or ovate; 3.5–8 cm long; 2.5–4 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 1–2 -nate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–2 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; laterally compressed; 3–5 mm long; 2–2.5 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1–1.5 mm long; 0.5–0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 2 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2 mm long; membranous; dark green; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America and southern South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fries 2002.

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