Puccinellia preslii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 10–15 cm long. Culm-internodes terete; distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle scaberulous above.

Panicle contracted; linear; 6 cm long. Panicle axis glabrous. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile, or pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure; stopping well short of apex. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below; hairy on back. Lemma apex erose; obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. Presl 2000.

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