Leersia lenticularis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated; scaly. Culms decumbent; 50–170 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or hispid. Culm-nodes constricted; glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or retrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades ascending, or spreading; 4–35 cm long; 5–22 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous; rough on both sides; glabrous, or pubescent; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 4–25 cm long; with spikelets clustered towards branch tips. Primary panicle branches spreading, or drooping; 1 -nate; 6–15 cm long. Panicle branches flexuous; secund; bearing congested spikelets.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 4–5.5 mm long; 3–4 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma 4–5.5 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein setose. Lemma margins involute; ciliate. Lemma hairs 0.5 mm long. Palea 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 3 -veined; 1-keeled. Palea keels ciliate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 2; 1.5–2 mm long. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION North America: north-central USA, northeast USA, south-central USA, and southeast USA.

NOTES Oryzeae. Pyrah.

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