Leptochloa srilankensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Cataphylls evident. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–60 cm long; 0.5–1 mm diam. Culm-internodes terete; solid; distally glabrous. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 1–4 mm long. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 2–4 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 15–20; borne along a central axis; erect, or ascending; flexuous; unilateral; 1.5–5 cm long. Rhachis semiterete; glabrous on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax; regular; 2 -rowed. Raceme-bases glabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 1.2–1.3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes curved.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.7–1.1 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.1–1.3 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 0.7–1 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy on veins. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined. Palea keels puberulous; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.3 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; oblong.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Snow 2004.

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