Stenostachys laevis

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 25–75 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 7–22 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 7–15 cm long; bearing 15–30 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes oblong.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 8–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume subulate; 6–8 mm long. Upper glume subulate; 6–8 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3–5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex dentate; 3 -fid; mucronate (0.5–1mm). Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels eciliate, or ciliolate. Apical sterile florets distinct from fertile.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: New Zealand.

NOTES Triticeae. WDC.

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