Koeleria caudata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 45–90 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 2–23 cm long; 0.5–1.5 mm wide; flaccid; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle spiciform; linear; interrupted; 3–18 cm long. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; (2–)2.8–4 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; 1.8–2.5 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute; mucronate. Upper glume obovate; 2.3–3.5 mm long; 0.9–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.5–3.5 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled; keeled above; 3(–5) -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex acute. Palea gaping; 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; oblong; membranous; 2-toothed. Anthers 3; 0.9–1.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; 2 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern. Africa: north.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr Extremad 1993.

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