Poa tenuicula

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 20–30 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths 2–3 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2 mm long; acute. Leaf-blades 3–5 cm long; 1.5–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 5–7 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–3.5 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes smooth; pubescent. Floret callus woolly.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 3 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 4 mm long; membranous; much thinner on margins; purple; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex acute. Palea keels scabrous; ciliolate; adorned with hairs in the middle. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 1.5 mm long. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: eastern Asia.

NOTES Poeae. Taiwan Gr 1997.

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