Dissanthelium californicum

HABIT Annual. Culms decumbent; 20–35 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat; 8–13 cm long; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 10–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending; naked below, or bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches flexuous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 2.5–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.3 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein smooth, or scaberulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein smooth, or scaberulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.1–2.2 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex acute.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.4 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Endosperm farinose.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA and Mexico.

NOTES Aveneae. Swallen.

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