Tripogon loliiformis

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 5–30 cm long; 1–4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheath oral hairs bearded. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2–6 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; erect; straight; unilateral; 6–12 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–18 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10–14 mm long; 2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes glabrous. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; asymmetrical; 2 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 3 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5–3 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; mucronate. Palea 1 mm long; 0.33–0.5 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 2; 0.2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Papuasia. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Tothill 1993.

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