Isachne deccanensis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated; woody. Culms 15–35 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths pubescent; with tubercle-based hairs; outer margin hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 3–15 cm long; 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous; scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 5–10 cm long; 2–4 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 2–4 cm long. Panicle axis with scattered hairs, or puberulous. Panicle branches capillary; flexuous; smooth, or scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels eglandular, or glandular.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 1.8–2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; much thinner on margins; purple; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume surface pubescent; hairy at apex. Lower glume apex cuspidate. Upper glume orbicular; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 11 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent; hairy at apex. Upper glume apex cuspidate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong, or obovate; 1.5 mm long; coriaceous; pallid; without keel. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.25 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Isachneae. Bor 1994.

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