Eragrostis pilgeri

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–50 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 10–20 cm long; 1.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic, or oblong; 15–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches capillary; flexuous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels flexuous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; laterally compressed; 4.7–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas. Rhachilla internodes pubescent; hairy above.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 2.5–2.7 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 2.5–2.7 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2.6–3 mm long; membranous; grey; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gr Peru 1995.

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