Koeleria vurilochensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 20–50 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–2 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades 10–15 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough abaxially, or on both sides; glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blade margins glabrous, or ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle glabrous, or pubescent above.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 5–10 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. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1.2–1.6 mm long; pilose. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–5.5 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 5.5–6.5 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 5.5–6.5 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled. Lemma apex acute; muticous, or mucronate. Principal lemma awn 1–2 mm long overall. Palea gaping.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.2–1.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Endosperm liquid.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Pat 1995.

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