Koeleria kurtzii

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 40–50 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–10 cm long; 1–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex abruptly acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 6–14 cm long. Panicle axis pilose. Panicle branches pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 4–4.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 3–3.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3–3.5 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 0.7–1 mm long overall. Palea gaping; 3 mm long. Palea keels scaberulous.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America and southern South America.

NOTES Aveneae. WDC 1995.

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