Helictotrichon burmanicum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 50–100 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 3–5 mm wide; flaccid. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; nodding; 12–24 cm long; 6–12 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 6–12 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous; rough distally; glabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 9–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 2–5 mm long; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–4.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 5.5–6.5 mm long; 0.8–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 6.5 mm long; cartilaginous; much thinner on margins; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; setaceously attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.66 way up back of lemma; curved; 9–10 mm long overall. Palea 6–6.5 mm long. Palea keels pubescent. Apical sterile florets rudimentary.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Indo-China.

NOTES Aveneae. Bor 1994.

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