Glyceria canadensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 50–90 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth, or scaberulous. Leaf-sheaths scaberulous; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 2–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches drooping; 2–5 -nate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 4–7 mm long; 3.5–4 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 1.5–2 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 2.5 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3–3.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins distinct. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma apex acute. Palea bowed outwards; 2.5 mm long; 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels thickened; smooth. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; oblong; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3; 0.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 1.3–1.5 mm long. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: western Canada, eastern Canada, north-central USA, northeast USA, and southeast USA.

NOTES Meliceae. Gr Indiana 1994.

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