Neesiochloa

HABIT Annual. Culms 15–30 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 7–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets orbicular; laterally compressed; 6–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex attenuate; awned. Upper glume ovate; 1.25 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblate; chartaceous; without keel; winged on margins; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pubescent; hairy on veins. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.2 of lemma length; truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus. Palea 0.8 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate, or with a crest of hairs. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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