Athroostachys

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms scandent; 300–800 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement three; in a horizontal line; with subequal branches. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; globose; with glumaceous subtending bracts; without axillary buds at base of spikelet.

Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 13–16 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute; awned. Upper glume ovate; 0.3–0.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; coriaceous; keeled; wingless; 7 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pubescent. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; lanceolate.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous; ciliate. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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