Rytidosperma vestitum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 20–45 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades aciculate; involute; 5–15 cm long; 2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; aerial, or shorter than basal leaves.

Panicle open; oblong, or ovate; 3–5 cm long; bearing few spikelets.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 10–13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 10–13 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–13 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 7–8 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous; with 2 transverse rows of hair tufts. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.33 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; simple at base; 6–9 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 2–2.5 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy; ciliate. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Papuasia.

NOTES Arundineae. Pilger 1993.

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