Glyceria spicata

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 40–120 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–7 mm long. Leaf-blades 8–25 cm long; 3–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex abruptly acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 15–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches simple.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 8–16 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 18–35 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 2–3 mm long; 0.5–0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 4 mm long; 0.66–0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 5–6 mm long; membranous; of similar consistency above; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure; extending close to apex. Lemma apex truncate, or obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged; scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; oblong; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 1.1–1.6 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Meliceae. Fl Eur 1994.

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