Eragrostis polytricha

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–45 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.4 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 8–23 cm long; 2.5–4.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 12–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending. Panicle branches scabrous; bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 5–10 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.7–5 mm long; 1.5 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas, or shedding paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.2–1.6 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.2–1.6 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.7–2 mm long; membranous; grey; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse, or acute. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; sulcate on hilar side; 0.6 mm long; truncate.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Mesoamericana, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl Guiana 1995.

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