Sphenopholis filiformis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 20–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 30–45 cm long (basal blades); 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous to pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 5–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 3–4 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes 0.6–1.1 mm long; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; with lower narrower than upper; shorter than spikelet; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.1–2.5 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein smooth, or scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume obovate; 1.5–3.5 mm long; 0.8–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein smooth, or scaberulous. Upper glume apex truncate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.8–3.2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex acute; muticous, or mucronate, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; curved; 0–2 mm long overall. Palea gaping; 0.8 length of lemma. Palea keels scaberulous. Rhachilla extension 0.75 length of fertile floret.

FLOWER Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; glabrous. Endosperm liquid.

DISTRIBUTION North America: south-central USA and southeast USA.

NOTES Aveneae. Erdman.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Lower glume less than 0.33 width of upper.

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