Wangenheimia lima

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 7–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2.5 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades convolute; 2–4 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; linear, or oblong; straight, or arcuate; unilateral; 0.8–3.5 cm long. Rhachis pubescent on surface; pubescent on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets pectinate; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–12 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes lateral (the lower); persistent; dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume subulate; 4–5 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume lanceolate; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 2–3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3–4 mm long; chartaceous; much thinner on margins; keeled; keeled all along, or above; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface glabrous, or pubescent. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; glabrous. Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 1.8–2.4 mm long. Embryo 0.25 length of caryopsis. Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern. Africa: north.

NOTES Poeae. WDC.

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