Isachne sharpii

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending; 26–44 cm long; 5–10 -noded. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 1.5–1.7 mm long. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 2.5–5.5 cm long; 7–13 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 3.5–4 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–1.4 cm long; bearing 3–7 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.5–2.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2.5–2.8 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9 -veined. Lower glume surface pilose. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 2.5–2.8 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9–10 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate, or orbicular; 2 mm long; 1.5 mm wide; cartilaginous, or indurate; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1.8 mm long; coriaceous; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long; pallid.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 1.2 mm long; red.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Isachneae. Simon 2011.

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