Phalaris lindigii

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 100–150 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 10–35 cm long; 3–15 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; continuous, or interrupted; 9–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 6.5 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 lanceolate; 6.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume lanceolate; 6.5 mm long; 1.4–1.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex truncate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets similar; barren; without significant palea; attached to and deciduous with the fertile. Lemma of lower sterile floret linear; 1.8–2 mm long; 0.4 length of fertile lemma; pubescent. Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; 4.5 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex acute. Palea cartilaginous; 2 -veined; without keels.

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

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Baldini 2004.

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