Parapholis marginata

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 5–15 cm long. Leaf-sheaths inflated. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scaberulous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 1; single; smoothly terete; bilateral; 2–6 cm long; bearing 5–10 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; subcylindrical and excavated. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes oblong; 0.5–0.6 length of fertile spikelet. Rhachis internode tip transverse.

Spikelets sunken; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4–6 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, or ovate; 4–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate, or ovate; 4–6 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3.5–5.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea surface smooth.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.4–0.8 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 2–2.5 mm long. Hilum elliptic. Endosperm liquid.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Africa: north. Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Hainardieae. Runemark.

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