Rytidosperma javanicum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms 13–60 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; 5–19 cm long; 0.4–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 3–11 fertile spikelets. Peduncle glabrous.

Panicle contracted; 2.5–9 cm long. Panicle axis pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6(–8) fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets laterally compressed; 10.5–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets (only the awns protuding). Lower glume 1 length of upper glume. Lower glume surface glabrous. Upper glume surface glabrous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma 4.75–6.75 mm long. Lemma surface with marginal hair tufts; bearing 4 hair tufts in all. Lemma hairs 1–1.5 mm long. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 2–3 mm long; incised 0.5 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 8.5–11.5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns 2.25–3.5 mm long. Palea present. Palea surface glabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 0.6–1.15 mm long; retained within floret, or eventually exserted.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Malesia.

NOTES Arundineae. Veldkamp 2000.

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