Erianthecium bulbosum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–45 cm long; 2–3 -noded; swollen at the base; forming an ovoid corm, or moniliform corms. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–4 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear, or lanceolate, or elliptic; 3–7 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 4–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes clavate; 0.5–1 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 3–4 mm long; 0.8–1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3–4.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 1.5–2.5 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long. Stigmas 2; terminally exserted; pubescent. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. WDC.

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