Polypogon linearis

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 7–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 1–10 cm long; 1–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 1–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform, or linear; 0.5–2 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 3–4 mm long; falling entire; deciduous from the base. Spikelet callus square, or oblong; 0.2–0.5 mm long. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume oblong; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume apex emarginate, or obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 4–5 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 3–4 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex emarginate, or obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 4–5 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2–2.5 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 2–3 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea 0.6–0.7 length of lemma; hyaline.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Aveneae. WDC.

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