Triplachne nitens

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or decumbent; 4–25 cm long; 4 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 1–7 cm long; 1–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or oblong, or ovate; 1–5 cm long; 0.5–1.3 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.8–3.5 mm long; scaberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.1–3.5 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–4 mm long; 2–2.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; gibbous; ovate in profile; 1.2–1.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface villous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.6–0.7 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 3.3–4 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 1–1.5 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5–0.7 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Africa: north and Macaronesia. Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Turk.

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