Potamophila parviflora

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 30–150 cm long; 3–7 mm diam. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–15 mm long. Leaf-blades 20–50 cm long; 4–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 15–45 cm long. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches capillary; flexuous; pubescent in axils.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or oblong; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 3–5.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets similar; barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 0.5–1.5 mm long; 0.1–0.25 length of spikelet; membranous; 0 -veined; without lateral veins; acute. Lemma of upper sterile floret ovate; 0.5–1.5 mm long; membranous; acute. Fertile florets bisexual (or some unisexual). Fertile lemma oblong; 3–5.5 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea elliptic; 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 3 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; lanceolate; 1 mm long. Anthers 6; 3 mm long. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Oryzeae. Vickery.

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