Micraira subulifolia

HABIT Perennial; mat forming. Culms prostrate; 6–8 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Leaves cauline; spiral. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; lanceolate; 0.5–1 cm long; 0.3–1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 0.7–1.5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 1 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.75 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.75 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5–9 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma apex truncate. Palea oblong; 0.75 length of lemma; 5–7 -veined. Palea apex truncate.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 2; 1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Micraireae. Tothill.

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