Puccinellia argentinensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 10–25 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths open for most of their length; longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 3–6 cm long; 0.5–0.7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate, or oblong; 10–12 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending. Panicle branches capillary; scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.5–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.7 mm long; glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1–1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex erose; obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 1.5–2 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex erose; obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2–2.5 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure; stopping well short of apex. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels smooth. Palea apex truncate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. Hackel 1997.

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