Polypogon australis

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–120 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or antrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–3 mm long; erose; truncate. Leaf-blades 3–15 cm long; 1.5–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong; interrupted; 5–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches 4–8 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 1.8–3.5 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus oblong; 0.2–1 mm long. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume oblong; 1.8–3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 4–15 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 1.8–3.5 mm long; 1.8–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 4–15 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1–1.7 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins excurrent. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 3.5–9 mm long overall. Palea 1 mm long; 1 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined. Palea apex with excurrent keel veins.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.6–0.9 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northwest USA and Mexico. South America: southern South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Pat.

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