Phalaris maderensis

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 10–50 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 6–15 cm long; 3–7 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or oblong, or ovate; 2.5–5 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; 4.5–4.8 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; 4.5–4.8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; winged above; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume elliptic; 4.5–4.8 mm long; 1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; winged above; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex truncate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets dissimilar; with vestigial lower floret; barren; without significant palea; attached to and deciduous with the fertile. Lemma of upper sterile floret linear; 1.3–1.4 mm long; ciliate on margins. Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; 3.2–3.4 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; 1.8 mm long. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: Macaronesia.

NOTES Aveneae. Anderson.

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