Sporobolus partimpatens

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 30–60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface; outer margin glabrous. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.7–0.9 mm long. Leaf-blades 1.5–12 cm long; 4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted, or spiciform; linear. Primary panicle branches appressed; whorled at lower nodes; 2.5 cm long. Panicle axis angular.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile, or pedicelled. Pedicels 0–2 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 2–2.5 mm long; 0.7–0.9 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume ovate; 0.8–1 mm long; 0.4 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Upper glume ovate; 2–2.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2–2.5 mm long; 0.7–0.9 mm wide; membranous; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous; hairy above. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 0.5–0.9 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; ovoid; laterally compressed; 1.1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Simon 1995.

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