Vulpia gracilis

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect, or decumbent; 5–30 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes ridged; distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 1–5 cm long; 1–2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; secund; 2–9 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed. Panicle axis scabrous. Panicle branches angular; scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels clavate; 5–7 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 15–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes eventually visible between lemmas; glabrous. Floret callus glabrous; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; dissimilar; shorter than spikelet; gaping. Lower glume ovate; 0.5–2 mm long; 0.03–0.1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 15 mm long; 0.3–0.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 30–42 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 35–50 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 40–50 mm long overall. Palea 6–8 mm long; 2 -veined. Palea apex awned; awns 1–2 mm long. Apical sterile florets 2–3 in number; barren; in a clump; linear. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 1 -awned.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.6–1.2 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear; hairy at apex. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: north.

NOTES Poeae. Scholz 1997.

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