Eragrostis terecaulis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending; 18–26 cm long. Culm-internodes terete. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 2.5–6 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong, or ovate; 3.5–5.5 cm long; 2–3 cm wide. Primary panicle branches spreading; 1–2 cm long. Panicle branches glandular (in axils).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–4.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1–1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 0–1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1–1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 0–1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile florets appressed to rhachilla. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2 mm long; membranous; grey; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex obtuse, or acute. Palea 1.1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.75 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Harvey 1994.

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