Metcalfia brevidentata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 20–30 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth; distally glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 10–16 cm long; 0.4–0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; comprising 3–4 fertile spikelets.

Racemes 1; single; paucilateral; 3–4 cm long; bearing 3–4 fertile spikelets on each.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes glabrous. Floret callus evident; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; (1–)3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; 1.3–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 5(–7) -veined.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 7–9 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pilose; hairy below. Lemma hairs 2 mm long. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; with lobes 0.4–0.8 mm long; incised 0.05 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 9–11 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Column of lemma awn 1–2 mm long. Palea lanceolate. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; glabrous, or ciliate. Anthers 3; 3–4.5 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southeastern.

NOTES Duthieeae. Scholz 2003.

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