Eragrostis longipedicellata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 40–80 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Culm-internodes smooth; distally pubescent. Culm-nodes pallid. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; 5–10 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 9–18 cm long; 3–9 cm wide. Primary panicle branches branching divaricately.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2–6 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 7–14 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; 4–8 mm long; 1.5–2 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; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1–1.5 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.5–2 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 mm long. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.3 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 0.6 mm long. Embryo 0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Simon 1995.

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