Leptochloa xerophila

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms 40–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–7 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 20–40 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; borne along a central axis; ascending; unilateral; 2–6 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 10–20 cm long. Rhachis semiterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 1 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 2.5 mm long; 1 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 ovate; 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 elliptic, or oblong; 2.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous; eciliate. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex emarginate; mucronate. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Pacific: south-central.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Brown 1993.

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