Sporobolus blakei

HABIT Perennial. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with fibrous dead sheaths. Culms erect; 40–80 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 2–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 15–22 cm long; 1–2 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending; 1–2.5 cm long; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.7–0.9 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; subterete; 1.5–1.8 mm long; 0.7–0.9 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 0.6–0.7 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 0.9–1.1 mm long; 0.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.5–1.8 mm long; 0.7–0.9 mm wide; membranous; keeled; 1 -veined. Lemma apex truncate, or obtuse. Palea 1.3–1.7 mm long; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 0.6–0.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; obovoid; quadrangular; 0.9 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Simon 1995.

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