Koeleria permollis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely, or moderately. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 25–35 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; oblong; continuous, or interrupted; 5–7 cm long. Panicle axis pubescent. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 5–6 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 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 5–6 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 0.5–1 mm long overall. Palea gaping; 1 length of lemma. 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 and southern South America. Antarctic: Subantarctic islands.

NOTES Aveneae. Domin 1995.

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