Eriachne ciliata

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; slender; 15–35 cm long. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous; hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; hispid; with tubercle-based hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate, or ovate; 6–12 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches appressed. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 3–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–4 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 2.5–3.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; filiform; 2–3 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous. Palea surface pilose.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eriachneae. Fl W Austral 1994.

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