Agrostis diemenica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms erect; 15–35 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth. Leaf-sheaths loose; ribbed. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3 mm long; entire, or erose; obtuse. Leaf-blades 6–12 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous; rough on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf. Peduncle smooth, or scaberulous above.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 5–10 cm long; with spikelets clustered towards branch tips. Primary panicle branches spreading; 2 -nate (upper nodes); whorled at lower nodes. Panicle branches stiff.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–3 mm long; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.75–2.75 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2–2.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure, or distinct. Lemma apex muticous. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5–1.6 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 1.25 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Aveneae. Morris 2006.

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