Lepturopetium kuniense

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms decumbent; 30–50 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–7 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib evident.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1–3; single, or paired, or digitate; unilateral; 5–7 cm long. Rhachis angular; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.5–0.66 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3–3.5 mm long; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; 3–3.5 mm long; cartilaginous; keeled; lightly keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 1.5–4.5 mm long overall. Palea cartilaginous; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns 1–3 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Pacific: southwestern.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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