Trisetaria linearis

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 10–30 cm long. Leaf-sheaths inflated; pubescent; with reflexed hairs. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 1–6 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 5–10 cm long; 0.5–1 cm wide. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 6 mm long; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.75 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 8–10 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 3–5 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea gaping; hyaline. Palea keels scaberulous. Rhachilla extension 0.2–0.3 length of fertile floret; pilose.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; lanceolate. Embryo 0.15 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: north. Asia-temperate: Caucasus, western Asia, and Arabia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Iraq.

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