Amphipogon sericeus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes short. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect; 30–60 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat; 8–15 cm long; 2–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent to hirsute; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 3.5–6 cm long; 0.7–2 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets on axis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets absent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10–11 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; 0.6–0.7 mm long; glabrous; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 6.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; glabrous, or hirsute; hairy above. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 6.5 mm long; 0.8–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels. Upper glume surface scabrous; glabrous, or hirsute; hairy above. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 6–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent (body), or plumose (lobes). Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex lobed; 3 -fid; incised 0.5 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2.5–4.5 mm long overall. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 2.5–4.5 mm long; subequal to principal. Palea 2 -veined. Palea apex lobed; 2 -fid; acuminate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 4.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Arundineae. Fl Australia 2006.

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