Oreochloa disticha

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 6–20(–30) cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3(–6) mm long; obtuse, or acute. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 10–15 cm long; 0.2–0.6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; oblong; unilateral; 0.9–1.4 cm long. Rhachis pubescent on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 3.5–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; keeled above; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3.5–4 mm long; 0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; keeled above; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 4–5 mm long; membranous; much thinner on margins; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pilose; hairy below. Lemma apex acute; muticous, or mucronate. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern.

NOTES Poeae. WDC.

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