Agrostis brachyathera

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–50 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long; erose; obtuse. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 1–2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 5–12 cm long; contracted about secondary branches. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels scaberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 2.9–3.2 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. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; dark green; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.9–3.2 mm long; 1.5–1.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; dark green; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.8–2.2 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.66 way up back of lemma; straight; 1.2–2 mm long overall. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.75–0.8 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; 1.5 mm long. Hilum linear.

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.