Eragrostis soratensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 15–30 cm long. Leaf-sheaths outer margin hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 2–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–2 -nate; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; with lower narrower than upper; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.7–1.8 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gr Peru 1995.

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