Agrostis gelida

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 35–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–5 mm long. Leaf-blades 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 13–17 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending; whorled at most nodes.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.5–1.7 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy at base. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.4–0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 2 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 0.4–0.5 length of lemma; hyaline.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr Peru 1995.

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