Lygeum spartum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; scaly. Culms 25–75 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 10–30 cm long; 1–1.5 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 1 fertile spikelets; subtended by a spatheole; enclosed. Spatheole lanceolate; 3–5 cm long; chartaceous.

Spikelets solitary.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2(–3) fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; urceolate; laterally compressed; 30–45 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus bearded. Spikelet callus hairs 0.2 length of spikelet.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 20–30 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; pallid; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface villous. Lemma margins fused below to those of opposing floret forming an urn. Lemma hairs 7–10 mm long. Lemma apex caudate. Palea fused below to lemma margins (forming a septum between lemmas); linear; 2 length of lemma.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3; 15–22 mm long. Stigmas 1; papillose.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 8–9 mm long. Embryo 0.25–0.33 length of caryopsis. Hilum linear; 2 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Africa: north.

NOTES Lygeae. WDC.

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