Holcus rigidus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 15–40 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaves distichous. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long. Leaf-blades spreading; 3–8 cm long; 2–5 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate, or oblong; 2–7 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes elongated below proximal fertile floret. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliolate. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 4–5 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliolate. Upper glume apex acuminate; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; keeled; keeled above; 3–5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; male; ovate; 2.5 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns dorsal; straight; 3.5–4 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: Macaronesia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Eur 1993.

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