Piptatherum paradoxum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 60–120 cm long. Leaf-sheaths without keel; glabrous on surface; outer margin hairy. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.1–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 25–50 cm long; 5–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle smooth, or scaberulous above.

Panicle open; oblong; 10–20 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches 2–3 -nate. Panicle axis scabrous. Panicle branches scabrous; bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels scabrous; tip widened.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 7–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough above. Lower glume apex dentate; 2 -fid. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; 1.7–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough above. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 4 mm long; coriaceous; dark brown, or black; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins involute; exposing palea. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 15 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 0.5 mm long. Anthers 3; 2.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; 4 mm long. Embryo 0.25 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern. Africa: north.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Afr N 1994.

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