Triniochloa micrantha

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–40 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–10 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 0.5–1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; effuse; 5–10 cm long. Primary panicle branches simple. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 9–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded. Floret callus hairs 2–3 mm long; 0.25–0.33 length of lemma.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–7 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins involute; interlocking with palea keels. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; with linear lobes; with lobes 1 mm long; incised 0.1 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.75 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 15–20 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 1 length of lemma; coriaceous. Palea keels contiguous above a sulcus.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Meliceae. WDC 1992.

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