Agrostis foliata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 15–30 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–8 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–7 cm long; 2–5 mm wide; coriaceous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; oblong; continuous, or interrupted; 5–10 cm long; 1–1.7 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3.2–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.2–3.5 mm long; membranous; purple, or black; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface smooth, or asperulous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume oblong; 3.2–3.5 mm long; membranous; purple, or black; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.33 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 2–2.5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr Peru 1997.

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