Triodia bitextura

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 50–200 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths resinous. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; involute; 10–25 cm long; stiff; resinous. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 10–18 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 8–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 8–12 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute; mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–12 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 7–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined, or 9 -veined. Lemma lateral veins in close groups (of 3). Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below. Lemma apex lobed; 3 -fid; with linear lobes; incised 0.5–0.66 of lemma length; acuminate; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; spreading; 7–15 mm long overall; deciduous. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; deciduous with the principal; 5–10 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea oblong; 1 length of lemma; coriaceous; thinner above; 2 -veined. Palea surface pubescent; hairy in a transverse fringe. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–3.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Tothill.

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