Puccinellia skottsbergii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 10–40 cm long. Leaf-sheaths open for most of their length; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–5 mm long; acute. Leaf-blades involute; 1–1.2 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 10–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading, or reflexed. Panicle axis scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 3.5–4.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.8–1 mm long; smooth.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.7–1 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 1–1.4 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.3–1.9 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner above; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure; stopping well short of apex. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1.6–1.8 mm long; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5–0.7 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; 0.8–1 mm long. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. Fl Pat 1995.

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