Eriachne squarrosa

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–90 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 15–25 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 4–8 cm long. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 8–15 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 lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 13 -veined. Lower glume surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–15 mm long; membranous; without keels; 13 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface plumose. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; 25–28 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous. Palea surface villous. Palea apex awned; awns 4–5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Malesia and Papuasia. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eriachneae. WDC 1994.

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