Isachne himalaica

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 30–60 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface; outer margin hairy. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades linear; 3–13 cm long; 4–9 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 5–12 cm long. Primary panicle branches 2.5–3.5 cm long. Panicle branches smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels glandular.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; dorsally compressed; 1.8–2.5 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 ovate; 1.8–2.5 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface smooth, or scabrous. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 1.8–2.5 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1.5 mm long; chartaceous. Fertile florets bisexual. Fertile lemma ovate; 1.5 mm long; chartaceous; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea chartaceous; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Isachneae. Fl Assam 1993.

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