Tripogon sivarajanii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 40–70 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 15–40 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib indistinct. Leaf-blade surface pubescent and pilose; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 20–45 cm long; bearing 25–60 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis flattened; smooth on surface; glabrous on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 7–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 2 mm long; 0.5–0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex emarginate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3–3.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 3–3.5 mm long overall. Palea 2–3 mm long; 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged. Palea surface pilose; hairy on margins. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1 mm long; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Sunil 2006.

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