Koeleria cheesemanii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 7.5–30 cm long; 2 -noded; with 0.2–0.25 of their length below uppermost node. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; erose; truncate. Leaf-blades erect; 2.5–3.5 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or lanceolate; 2.5–7 cm long; 1.2 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 2–3 -nate. Panicle axis pubescent. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or elliptic; laterally compressed; 6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 6 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 1 mm long overall. Palea gaping; 0.75 length of lemma. Palea keels scabrous.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: New Zealand.

NOTES Aveneae. Cheeseman 1995.

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