Pentapogon quadrifidus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 10–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 2–10 cm long; 0.5–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 2–10 cm long. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4.5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded. Floret callus hairs 0.25 length of lemma.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 4.5–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0.5–1.5 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 4.5–6 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0.5–1.5 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 4.5–6 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 5 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.75 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 7–15 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns 2–6 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea 0.75 length of lemma.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia and New Zealand.

NOTES Aveneae. WDC.

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