Spartochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 50–70 cm long; wiry. Leaves with blades commonly suppressed, transferring photosynthetic function to sheath and culm. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; linear, or triangular. Leaf-blade midrib evident.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; cartilaginous; without keel; wingless; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; trigonous.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

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