Vulpia sicula

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 12–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2–15 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 5–13 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 1–2.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 6.5–9.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes eventually visible between lemmas. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 1.5–2.5 mm long; 0.2–0.6 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 5.5–10.5 mm long; 1.2–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 4.5–7 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 4–6 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; eventually exserted.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern, southwestern, and southeastern. Africa: north.

NOTES Poeae. Fl Eur.

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