Trisetum cumingii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 45–50 cm long; 3 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pilose. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–3 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 2.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear, or oblong; 10–12 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–5 cm long (at base of panicle). Panicle axis glabrous, or pilose. Panicle branches puberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1 mm long; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate, or ovate; 5.5–7 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 6–7 mm long; membranous; much thinner on margins; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins excurrent. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.66 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 5–7 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea gaping; 1 length of lemma; hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1–1.2 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Patagonia 2011.

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