Rhombolytrum rhomboideum

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 50–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets rhomboid; laterally compressed; 4.5–5.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–4.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; thickened on margins at base; dorsally compressed; 3.5–4.5 mm long; membranous; firmer on margins; keeled; lightly keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma margins pubescent; hairy below. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; muticous, or mucronate. Palea 0.75–0.85 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels pubescent. Palea surface glabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 1. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. Nic & Rug 1997.

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