Eragrostis hainanensis

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 35–45 cm long; 2 mm diam.; 4–7 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2 mm long; scarious. Leaf-blades involute; 4–8 cm long; 3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 9–13 cm long; 4–6 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending; 1 -nate. Panicle branches glabrous in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 10–44 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 7–15 mm long; 2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.2 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.6 mm long; membranous; mid-green, or purple; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3 mm long; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl China 2005.

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