Perotis clarksonii

HABIT Annual. Culms 20–40 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaves distichous. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades spreading; lanceolate; flat, or involute; 1.7–2.5 cm long; 1.7–2.3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 12–27 cm long. Spikelet packing distant; irregular.

Spikelets spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear, or lanceolate; subterete; 6–11 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus linear; 0.75–1.5 mm long; pubescent; base acute.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 6–11 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 40–45 mm long; ciliate (below). Upper glume linear; 6–11 mm long; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 40–45 mm long; ciliate (below).

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–9 mm long; membranous; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear; flattened; sulcate on hilar side.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Veldkamp 1995.

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