Plinthanthesis urvillei

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 30–60 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades flexuous; filiform; convolute; 20–30 cm long; 0.5–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate, or pyramidal; 5–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1 mm long. Floret callus brief.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–9 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface smooth, or asperulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 6–9 mm long; 1.7–2.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3.5–4 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner above; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface pilose; hairy below; hairy between veins. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 2 mm long; incised 0.5 of lemma length; obtuse, or acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 3–4 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Palea oblong; 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; thinner above; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface pilose; hairy on back and on flanks; hairy below.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; glabrous. Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear; 0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Arundineae. Vickery.

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