Briza scabra

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 60–70 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 7–15 cm long; 0.8–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib scarcely raised beneath. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; 8–12 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.5–2.5 mm long; pubescent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2(–3) fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets orbicular; laterally compressed; 2–2.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.2–0.5 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume orbicular; 2.2–2.4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume orbicular; 2.2–2.4 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma orbicular; 2–2.2 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; yellow; keeled; 5 -veined. Palea orbicular; 1.6 mm long; coriaceous; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; 0.5 mm long; membranous; truncate. Anthers 1. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; orbicular; 1.2 mm long. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Poeae. Mathei 1994.

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