Leptochloa tectoneticola

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–50 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 8–12 cm long; 2.5–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 3, or 4; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 10–15 cm long. Rhachis semiterete; scabrous on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1–2 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma margins eciliate. Lemma apex emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1.5–1.8 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.4 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Indo-China and Malesia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Lecomte 1994.

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