Koeleria loweana

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with fibrous dead sheaths. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms 25–100 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.8–2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 20–50 cm long; 3–10 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 15–35 cm long. Panicle branches pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 6–8(–10) mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 5.5–8 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 6.5–9 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma obovate; 6–9 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner on margins; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma apex acute. Palea gaping. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; glabrous; 2-toothed. Anthers 3; 2.5–3.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum elliptic; 0.2–0.25 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: Macaronesia.

NOTES Poeae. WDC.

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