Eriachne sulcata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 50–70 cm long. Culm-nodes bearded. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or hispid; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong, or ovate; 4–8 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 6–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume surface hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 6–10 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface villous; hairy below. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 10–15 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous. Palea surface villous; hairy below. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eriachneae. Fl W Austral 1994.

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