Rytidosperma occidentale

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 25–60 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 5–30 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or hirsute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above, or pilose above.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 5–10 cm long. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels puberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 16–23 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1.5 mm long; pilose; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 16–22 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 16–22 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; 8–10 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; with a transverse row of hair tufts. Lemma hairs 3–4 mm long. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 4–5 mm long; incised 0.5 of lemma length; attenuate; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 12–17 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 4–6 mm long. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 3–5 mm long. Palea lanceolate. Palea surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy on back. Palea apex truncate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; ciliate. Anthers 3.

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.