Phippsia wilczekii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes elongated. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms decumbent; 2–6 cm long; 1 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades curved; flat, or conduplicate; 1–2 cm long; 1–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; linear; 1–3 cm long. Panicle branches stiff.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–3 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 2.5–2.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.6–0.9 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 0.7–1 mm long; 0.2–0.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 0 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma obovate; 2.5–2.8 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; keeled; 2–3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins less than two thirds length of lemma. Lemma apex erose; truncate. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 0.5–0.6 mm long; acute. Stigmas terminally exserted.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. Nic & Rug 1997.

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