Koeleria boliviensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 20–25 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 3–9 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; interrupted; 3–3.5 cm long. Panicle axis pubescent. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2.5–3.5 mm long; membranous; much thinner on margins; shiny; keeled. Lemma apex muticous, or mucronate. Palea gaping. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr Bolivia 1997.

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