Sporobolus pamelae

HABIT Perennial. Butt sheaths coriaceous. Culms erect; 80–120 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; without keel. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 14–35 cm long; 1–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 25–40 cm long; 3–12 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading; whorled at lower nodes; 7–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels flexuous; 4–12 mm long; scaberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 2.5–3 mm long; 0.6–1 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume ovate; 1.5 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 1.5–3 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins obscure. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; 1 mm wide; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex truncate. Palea 3–3.2 mm long; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate. Palea apex obtuse.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 0.4 mm long. Anthers 3; 2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Simon 1995.

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