Eriachne pulchella

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 10–15 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-nodes constricted, or flush with internodes. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hispid; with tubercle-based hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 3–5 cm long; 0.8–1 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–3 mm long.

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; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; scarious; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex acute; mucronate. Upper glume ovate; 3 mm long; scarious; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3–4 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface villous; hairy below. Lemma margins involute; ciliate; hairy below. Lemma apex acuminate; muticous, or mucronate. Palea 1 length of lemma; membranous. Palea keels ciliate. Palea surface villous; hairy all along, or below.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid; 1.5 mm long; dark brown.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eriachneae. Gr C Austral 1994.

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