Semiarundinaria densiflora

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated; leptomorph. Culms erect; woody. Culm-internodes terete; hollow; distally glabrous. Lateral branches dendroid. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; truncate. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 6–10 cm long; 18 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation with 10 secondary veins; with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; fasciculate; with spathaceous subtending bracts; without axillary buds at base of spikelet; with ultimate bract subtending a compact bracteolate fascicle of spikelets; prophyllate below lateral spikelets.

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes clavate; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure, or two; persistent; shorter than spikelet.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 9 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex cuspidate. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; 3 mm long; ciliate. Anthers 3; 5 mm long. Stigmas 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Arundinarieae. Rendle 2002.

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