Trisetum clarkei

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 20–70 cm long; 2–5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 4–20 cm long; 1.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle contracted; linear, or lanceolate; 4.5–18 cm long; 1–3 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 1–2 cm long. Panicle axis puberulous. Panicle branches puberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–8.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 5.5–7.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 5.5–7 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; curved; reflexed; 4–8 mm long overall. Palea gaping; hyaline. Palea keels scaberulous.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Pak 1993.

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