Anthoxanthum khasianum

HABIT Perennial. Culms geniculately ascending; 40–80 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; erose. Leaf-blades 3–6 cm long; 2–4 mm wide; aromatic.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong; 4–6 cm long; 1 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–5 mm long; ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or cuneate; laterally compressed; truncate; 3–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 3–3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 3–3.5 mm long; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; much thinner above; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets dissimilar; barren; without significant palea; attached to and deciduous with the fertile. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 3–3.5 mm long; 1.2 length of fertile lemma; membranous; 5 -veined; pubescent; bearing tawny hairs; lobed; 2 -fid; obtuse; mucronate. Awn of lower sterile floret 1 mm long. Lemma of upper sterile floret oblong; 3–3.5 mm long; 1 length of lower sterile floret; membranous; pubescent; lobed; 2 -fid; awned. Awn of upper sterile floret 1.5–2 mm long. Fertile lemma elliptic, or oblong; 2.5 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex obtuse, or acute. Palea linear; 2 mm long; 1 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 2. Stigmas pubescent. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Assam 1993.

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