Triodia spicata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 50–80 cm long. Culm-internodes terete. Leaves distichous. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; without exudate; without keel; outer margin hairy. Leaf-sheath oral hairs bearded; 2–4 mm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades aciculate; conduplicate; 7–12 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; resinous. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 6–9 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate, or elliptic; laterally compressed; 9–13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate, or ovate; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume lanceolate, or ovate; 4–5 mm long; 0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 5–6 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3(–9) -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate; hairy below. Lemma lateral veins with distinct primaries but obscure intermediates. Lemma apex entire; acuminate. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged; eciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Burbidge.

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