Phalaris truncata

HABIT Perennial. Culms 100–200 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–30 cm long; 1.5–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 2–6 cm long; 0.8–1.6 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 5.5–6.3 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; 5.5–6.3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; winged above; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous, or pilose. Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume elliptic; 5.5–6.3 mm long; 1.3–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; winged above; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pilose. 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 ovate; 0.6–1.2 mm long; 0.15–0.2 length of fertile lemma; fleshy; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; 3.7–5 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex acute. Palea cartilaginous; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pubescent.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 2.8–3 mm long. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Africa: north. Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Anderson.

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