Leersia japonica

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms prostrate; 100–120 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Culm-nodes bearded. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or scaberulous. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 6–12 cm long; 5–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 8–11 cm long. Primary panicle branches 4–14 in number; ascending; 1 -nate; 5–8 cm long; bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches flat (1mm wide).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; acuminate; 5–6 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma 5–6 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma margins involute. Lemma hairs 0.5 mm long. Palea 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 3 -veined; 1-keeled. Palea keels ciliate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 6; 3 mm long. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China and eastern Asia.

NOTES Oryzeae. Pyrah.

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