Megalachne

HABIT Perennial. Culms geniculately ascending; 30–65–100 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 15–17.5–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus evident; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume linear; 0.66–0.8525–1 length of upper glume; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate (1), or setaceously attenuate (1); muticous (1), or awned (1). Upper glume linear; 1.2–1.3–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate (1), or setaceously attenuate (1); muticous (1), or awned (1); 1 -awned (1/1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; herbaceous; keeled; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous; 2-toothed. Anthers 3. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear; 0.75 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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