Eriachne capillaris

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 20–30 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1–2 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 3–5 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 1–2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1–2 mm long; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins obscure. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 1–2 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below; with a transverse fringe of hair. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; muticous. Palea 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eriachneae. WDC 1994.

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