Rytidosperma irianense

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms 16–30 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades persistent; 14–27 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle glabrous.

Panicle contracted; dense; 6.5–7.5 cm long; bearing many spikelets. Panicle axis pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets laterally compressed; 7.5–11 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume 1 length of upper glume. Upper glume primary vein ciliate, or pubescent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma 4.5–6.25 mm long. Lemma surface with 2 transverse rows of hair tufts. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 2–3.5 mm long; incised 0.5 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 8.25–9.5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns 1–2 mm long. Palea surface pilose; hairy on back. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 0.75–1.25 mm long; eventually exserted.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Papuasia.

NOTES Arundineae. Veldkamp 2000.

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