Muhlenbergia duthieana

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Rootstock evident. Culms erect, or decumbent, or prostrate; 20–40 cm long; without nodal roots, or rooting from lower nodes. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.7–1.2 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 3–9 cm long; 1.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; interrupted; 4–12 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.4–3.4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets; similar to fertile lemma in texture. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–3.4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 2–3.2 mm long; 0.8–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.2–3.2 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy at base. Lemma apex emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 8–10 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl Pak.

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