Eriachne triodioides

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; robust; 75–120 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous, or bearded. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades convolute; 10–20 cm long; 2–9 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 8–13 cm long. Panicle branches capillary; flexuous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 9–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 11 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 8–8.5 mm long; membranous; without keels; 11 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate, or ovate; laterally compressed; 9 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface villous. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 7 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous. Palea surface pilose. Palea apex awned; awns 1 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid; plano-convex; 3–3.5 mm long; obtuse.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eriachneae. Domin 1994.

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