Rytidosperma oreophilum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect; robust; 15–45 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; ovate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 12–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 12–17 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 12–17 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4.5–7.5 mm long; coriaceous; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface glabrous, or villous; with 2 transverse rows of hair tufts. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.5–0.6 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 7.5–10 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 2–3.3 mm long. Palea obovate; 2.8–4.2 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface glabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; ciliate. Anthers 3; 0.4–0.8 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid; 1.8–2.1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Arundineae. Fl Australia 2008.

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