Eragrostis trichocolea

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 30–60 cm long. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 8–12 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 15–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle branches stiff; bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 6–12 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–4 mm long; 1.5 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1–1.2 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.3–1.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex acute. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 0.6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION North America: south-central USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, northern South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Man US Gr 1994.

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