Poa balbisii

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent, or short. Culms (20–)30–45(–65) cm long. Leaf-sheaths open for most of their length. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.2–2(–3) mm long; erose; truncate, or obtuse. Leaf-blades (1.5–)3–6(–11) cm long; (0.5–)0.8–1.3(–2) mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; (1.5–)4–10 cm long. Primary panicle branches 2–3(–4) -nate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; (3–)4–6(–7.2) mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus woolly.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.5 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; (3.2–)3.5–4.2(–4.7) mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliolate. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface glabrous, or puberulous; hairy between veins. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex obtuse. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1–2 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern.

NOTES Poeae. Portal 2007.

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