Helictotrichon polyneurum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 50–80 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–15 cm long; 2–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; nodding; 12–15 cm long. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; sinuous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 16–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–10 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 10–11 mm long; 1.1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 8–10 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.75 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 10–13 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea keels pubescent. Apical sterile florets rudimentary.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3. Ovary pubescent on apex.

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

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Aveneae. WDC 1994.

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