Ectrosia anomala

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 10–30 cm long; 2 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades convolute; 3–10 cm long; 2–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; moderately hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; interrupted; 2–10 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches spreading; 1–2 cm long; bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear; ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–9 mm long; 2–3 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets. Rhachilla internodes zig-zag.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 2.5–3 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–3.3 mm long; 0.6–0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; lanceolate in profile; 3.5–5.5 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma apex acuminate, or setaceously attenuate. Palea bowed outwards; 0.4–0.6 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged; ciliolate. Apical sterile florets 4–6 in number; barren; separate; lanceolate; 3.5–5.5 mm long.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.4 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; 1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. CEH.

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