Eragrostis rufinerva

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms erect; 20–35 cm long; 1.5 mm diam.; 3–5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 3–11 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 3–12 cm long; 0.2–0.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed; 1 -nate. Panicle branches pubescent in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 16–30 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; laterally compressed; 3–7 mm long; 2–2.5 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.2–1.4 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.5–2 mm long; membranous; much thinner on margins; glaucous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins distinct. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea apex obtuse. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.3 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 0.6 mm long; light brown.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl China 2005.

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