Rytidosperma pumilum

HABIT Perennial; cushion forming. Culms 4–20 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades erect; filiform; involute; 1–5 cm long; 0.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle, or comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 1–15 fertile spikelets. Peduncle scaberulous above.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 1–4 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–7 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 4–5 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; mucronate. Principal lemma awn from a sinus. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia and New Zealand.

NOTES Arundineae. Cheeseman 1997.

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