Eriachne mucronata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Cataphylls evident. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms geniculately ascending; 30–45 cm long; wiry; 4–6 -noded. Lateral branches sparse, or ample. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 2–5 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 2–5 cm long; 1 cm wide; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches appressed. Panicle branches capillary; scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 5–15 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 9–13 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins prominent. Lower glume apex acute; mucronate. Upper glume ovate; 4–5 mm long; membranous; without keels; 9–13 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins prominent. Upper glume apex acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface villous; hairy below. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acuminate; mucronate. Palea 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous. Palea surface villous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eriachneae. Gr C Austral 1994.

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