Trichoneura lindleyana

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 3–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.3 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 1–10 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; unilateral; 1–2.5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–9 cm long. Rhachis deciduous from axis; angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures; readily shedding fertile florets. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.5–4 mm long; 0.8–1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 1.25–1.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2–4 mm long; membranous; keeled; lightly keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 0.5–1 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; oblong.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC 1992.

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