Koeleria mendocinensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 15–30 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle glabrous.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 4–9 cm long. Panicle axis glabrous. Panicle branches glabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 4.5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1–2 mm long; pilose; with 1–1.2 mm long hairs. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume elliptic, or oblong; 3.8–4.5 mm long; 0.9–1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic, or oblong; 4.2–5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4–5 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled. Lemma surface scaberulous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 1.5–1.7 mm long overall. Palea gaping.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.7–1.2 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 3 mm long. Endosperm liquid.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Pat 1995.

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