Rytidosperma indutum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms robust; 75–120 cm long; 2.5–3.5 mm diam.; 4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 15–30 cm long; 1.5–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open, or contracted; linear to elliptic; 9–18 cm long. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 14–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1–2 mm long; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 14–20 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 14–18 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 10–11 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface pilose; with a transverse fringe of hair. Lemma hairs 4–5 mm long. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 6 mm long; incised 0.5 of lemma length; acuminate; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 13–18 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 4–6 mm long. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 1–3 mm long. Palea lanceolate; 6–8 mm long. Palea surface villous; hairy on back and on flanks. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; ciliate. Anthers 3; 2–3 mm long; orange.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Arundineae. Vickery 1993.

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