Eragrostis udawnensis

HABIT Perennial. Glands annular. Culms 30–50 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-internodes smooth. Leaf-sheaths 12–15 cm long; striately veined; smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 6–10 cm long; 3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 10–20 fertile spikelets.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 6–10 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 1 -nate; bearing 2–4 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle branches smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.33–0.5 length of fertile spikelet; glandular.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; obtuse; 5–6 mm long; 4–5 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4 mm long; 0.75–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 4–5 mm long; chartaceous; purple; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface punctate. Lemma apex acute. Palea ovate; 0.9 length of lemma; hyaline. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea apex obtuse. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.2 mm long; purple.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Indo-China.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Ohwi 2001.

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