Pyrrhanthera exigua

HABIT Perennial; mat forming. Culms 4–20 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 1–8 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 1–3 fertile spikelets.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 5–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 5–7 mm long; 1.5–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate; hairy below. Lemma surface with marginal hair tufts; bearing 2 hair tufts in all. Lemma apex dentate; 3 -fid. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy; ciliate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp. Embryo 0.2 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: New Zealand.

NOTES Arundineae. WDC.

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