Eriachne filiformis

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 3–15 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheaths hispid. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 2–5 cm long; 0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 1–2 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Panicle branches capillary; pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 3–5 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 elliptic, or oblong; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 9–11 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins prominent. Lower glume surface hispid. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic, or oblong; 3–5 mm long; membranous; without keels; 9–11 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins prominent. Upper glume surface hispid. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; 2–3 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3–4 mm long overall. Palea elliptic, or obovate; 1 length of lemma; hyaline. Palea surface puberulous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid; 1.5–3 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eriachneae. Hartley 1994.

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