Plagiantha

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or decumbent; 30–80 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; 2.2–2.8 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; membranous; 2–4 -veined; sulcate; obtuse. Palea of lower sterile floret becoming indurate on flanks at maturity. Fertile lemma ovate; coriaceous; without keel; wingless. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea coriaceous.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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