Eriachne ovata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes absent, or elongated. Culms 15–30 cm long. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong, or ovate; 1.5–5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 7–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, or oblong; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate, or oblong; 5–6 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate, or ovate; laterally compressed; 7–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pilose, or villous; hairy below. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute, or acuminate; muticous. Palea gaping; 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous. Palea surface pilose; hairy at base. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid.

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.