Tripogon pungens

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 6–10 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades aciculate; convolute; 1–2.5 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; sparsely hairy. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; flexuous; unilateral; 2–5 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.5–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; asymmetrical; 1–1.3 mm long; 0.5–0.6 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 2–2.5 mm long; 1.4–1.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein grooved on either side. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.2–1.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 0.2–0.5 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged; scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 0.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC.

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