Podophorus

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 30–40 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 9–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume linear; 0.75 length of upper glume; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume linear; 0.75–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn flexuous. Palea coriaceous. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; rudimentary. Apical sterile lemmas awned.

FLOWER Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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