Phalaris lemmonii

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 70–135 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 8–20 cm long; 2–12 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; interrupted; 4–12 cm long; 0.7–1.5 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 4.9–6.7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 4.9–6.7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume surface asperulous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 4.9–6.7 mm long; 1.2–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume surface asperulous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets similar; barren; without significant palea; attached to and deciduous with the fertile. Lemma of lower sterile floret linear; 1–1.6 mm long; 0.25–0.33 length of fertile lemma; pubescent. Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 4–5.1 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy all along. Lemma apex acute. Palea cartilaginous; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 2.1–2.3 mm long. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA and Mexico.

NOTES Aveneae. Anderson.

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