Rytidosperma monticola

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 20–45 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Leaf-sheaths hirsute. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 7–15 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 5–15 fertile spikelets.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate, or ovate; 1–4 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches indistinct the panicle almost racemose, or simple. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 8–11 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 1 mm long; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 8–11 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 9 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–11 mm long; 1.5–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 9 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 5–6 mm long; chartaceous; shiny; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous; with 2 transverse rows of hair tufts. Lemma hairs 2–3 mm long. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 3 mm long; incised 0.5 of lemma length; acute; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 6–7 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 3–4 mm long. Palea obovate. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface glabrous, or pilose; hairy on back; hairy below. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; ciliate. Anthers 3; 1 mm long; yellow.

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.