Eragrostis pubescens

HABIT Perennial. Culms 40–80 cm long; wiry. Leaf-sheaths 12 cm long; glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 7–15 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins ciliate. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 5–20 cm long; bearing few spikelets; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches 2–6 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–89 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; 8–50 mm long; 1.8–2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.4 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.8 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.9–2.2 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface hispidulous. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1.6 mm long. Palea keels scaberulous; eciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.3–0.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with tardily free pericarp; 5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Malesia. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gilliland 1993.

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