Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth
ssp. uninervia (J. Presl) N. Snow
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Eragrostideae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Leptochloa imbricata Thunb.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
Mexican sprangletop
Primary Disseminule Type
floret
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary, consisting of 6–9 fertile florets with similar-looking though diminished sterile florets at apex, elliptic, slightly laterally compressed, 5–10 mm long. Disarticulation below each fertile floret.
Glumes persistent, similar, shorter than spikelet, membranous, keeled, 1-veined, apices acute to acuminate or obtuse. Lower glume narrowly triangular to ovate, 1–2.6 mm long, 0.6–0.7 length of upper glume. Upper glume obovate to broadly obovate, 1.8–2.8 mm long.
Fertile florets: rachilla persistent, callus blunt to pointed, pubescent, scar oblique.
Lemma oblong, 2–3.6 mm long, dorsally compressed, membranous, light brown, dark green or lead-colored, with rounded back (no keel) but prominently ribbed midvein, 3-veined, lateral veins prominent and located close to margins, all veins pubescent, apex obtuse to truncate, sometimes bifid, mucronate, awnless.
Palea 0.9 length of lemma, 2-veined, keels scabrous, surface pubescent.
Caryopsis oblong in outline, dorsally compressed, concavo-convex in cross-section, 1–1.5 mm long x 0.5–0.7 mm wide, orangish-brown, somewhat translucent, embryo ca. 0.5 length of caryopsis, hilum perfectly round.
Similar Species
Similar Species Comparison Chart
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI