Polypogon tenellus

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–50 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 3–15 cm long; 0.5–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; lanceolate, or oblong; continuous, or interrupted; 5–12 cm long.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous from the base. Spikelet callus oblong; 0.5 mm long; pubescent; base obtuse. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets, or exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; recurved at apex. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface pilose; hairy below. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 8–9 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5 mm long; 1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface pilose; hairy below. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 8–9 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2–2.5 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex entire; emarginate, or acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 16–25 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 0.5 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 1.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Aveneae. Gardner.

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