Trisetum hispidum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Butt sheaths purple; villous; persistent and investing base of culm. Culms 30–80 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent and pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long. Leaf-blades 10–25 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent to hirsute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear, or oblong; dense; 6–12 cm long; 1–2.5 cm wide. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels villous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent; with 0.5 mm long hairs. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3–3.8 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.75 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 2.5–4.5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea gaping; hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.6–2.4 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Eur 1995.

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