Poa bonariensis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 30–70 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2.5 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 15–30 cm long; 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 8–20 cm long; 3–3.5 cm wide. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus woolly.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 3 mm long; 0.85 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3.5 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma ovate; elliptic in profile; 4–5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliolate. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex acute. Palea keels scabrous; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 2–2.2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. Parodi 1995.

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