Parapholis incurva

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending; 2–20 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades 0.4–3 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; incurved; smoothly terete; bilateral; 1–8 cm long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; subcylindrical and excavated; 1–2 mm wide. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes oblong; 2.5–5 mm long. Rhachis internode tip transverse.

Spikelets sunken; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4–6 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–4 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 3–4 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5–5.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins less than two thirds length of lemma. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5–1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid. Hilum elliptic. Endosperm liquid.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Africa: north, Macaronesia, and south. Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia, Caucasus, western Asia, Arabia, and China. Asia-tropical: India. Australasia: Australia and New Zealand. North America: northwest USA, northeast USA, southwest USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: southern South America.

NOTES Hainardieae. TAC.

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