Koeleria novozelandica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely, or moderately. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect; 15–30 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 7–15 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough on both sides; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle spiciform; linear; interrupted; 5–8 cm long. Panicle axis pubescent. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–5.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3.5–5.5 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 0.75–1.25 mm long overall. Palea gaping; 0.75 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: New Zealand.

NOTES Aveneae. Domin 1995.

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