Rytidosperma alpicola

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 10–30 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades conduplicate, or involute; 5–10 cm long; 2–4 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate, or ovate; 3–4 cm long; 2–2.5 cm wide. Panicle branches smooth, or scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 12–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 12–17 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 12–17 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 6–8 mm long; chartaceous; pallid; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface with 2 transverse rows of hair tufts. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 3–5 mm long; incised 0.6 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 10–17 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 2–3 mm long. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes. Palea lanceolate; 5.5–7 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above. Palea surface pilose; hairy on flanks; hairy below. Palea apex emarginate, or truncate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; ciliate. Anthers 3; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 2 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Arundineae. Vickery 1993.

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