Eragrostis reptans

HABIT Annual; mat forming. Culms prostrate; 5–10(–20) cm long; wiry. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1–4 cm long; 1–2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Dioecious. Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle glabrous, or pubescent above.

Panicle capitate; ovate; 1–2 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear, or oblong; 0.5–1.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 16–40(–60) fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear, or oblong; straight, or curved; laterally compressed; 8–20(–25) mm long; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.33–0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface glabrous, or pilose. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pilose. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma ovate; 2.6–3.3 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous, or pilose. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea 0.5 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; isodiametric; biconvex; 0.5 mm long. Embryo 0.33–0.5 length of caryopsis.

MALE Male inflorescence similar to female; a panicle. Male spikelets resembling female.

DISTRIBUTION North America: north-central USA, south-central USA, southeast USA, and Mexico.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gould.

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