Eragrostis xerophila

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes elongated; knotty; scaly; glabrous, or woolly. Culms erect; 30–40 cm long; 10–20 -noded. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades curved; 2–8 cm long; 0.5–4.5 mm wide; stiff.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; interrupted; 5–10 cm long; 0.6 cm wide; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches appressed; 0.5–3 cm long; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 10–76 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–35 mm long; 1.5–2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

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

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1.5–2.25 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface smooth, or scaberulous. Lemma apex acute. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia. Pacific: south-central.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gr Cent Austr 1995.

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