Raddia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (4), or short (3), or elongated (2). Stolons absent (8), or present (1). Culms erect (7/8), or geniculately ascending (1/8); 12–41.58–100 cm long; firm (5), or wiry (4). Culm-nodes swollen (2/2). Lateral branches lacking (5/5). Ligule an eciliate membrane (4), or a ciliolate membrane (5). Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades linear (1), or lanceolate (4), or elliptic (1), or oblong (3), or ovate (4). Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous (3/3).

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious. Inflorescence a panicle (1), or composed of racemes (8); axillary; exserted (4), or embraced at base by subtending leaf (5).

Panicle open (1/1).

Racemes single (8/8); bearing few fertile spikelets (8/8); bearing 2 fertile spikelets on each (2/7), or 3 fertile spikelets on each (3/7), or 4–5 fertile spikelets on each (6/7), or 6 fertile spikelets on each (5/7), or 7–8 fertile spikelets on each (4/7), or 9–13 fertile spikelets on each (2/7), or 14–18 fertile spikelets on each (1/7). Rhachis angular (8/8).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets sessile and pedicelled (1), or pedicelled (8); 1–2 in a cluster (1/1). Pedicels filiform, or cuneate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate (6), or elliptic (1), or ovate (6); dorsally compressed; 3–5.92–13.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; shorter than spikelet (2), or reaching apex of florets (6), or exceeding apex of florets (3); thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate (6), or elliptic (1), or ovate (6); 0.8–0.98–1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 3–4 -veined (3), or 5 -veined, or 6–7 -veined (1). Lower glume surface smooth (8), or asperulous (1); without pits; glabrous (8), or pubescent (1). Lower glume apex acuminate (7), or setaceously attenuate (1), or caudate (1); muticous (5), or mucronate (3), or awned (5). Upper glume lanceolate (6), or elliptic (1), or ovate (6); 0.8–1.16–1.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; with undifferentiated margins (3), or cartilaginous margins (6); without keels; 3 -veined (7), or 4 -veined (3), or 5 -veined (5), or 6–7 -veined (1). Upper glume surface smooth (8), or asperulous (1); glabrous (7), or pubescent (2). Upper glume apex acute (4), or acuminate (5), or setaceously attenuate (1), or caudate (1); muticous, or mucronate (1), or awned (1); 1 -awned (1/1).

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma lanceolate (4), or elliptic (1), or ovate (4); coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined (1/5), or 5 -veined (4/5). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse (8), or acuminate (1). Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined (5/5). Palea surface glabrous (8), or pubescent (1).

FLOWER Lodicules 3 (5/5). Anthers 3 (6/6).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (1/1). Hilum linear (1/1); 1 length of caryopsis.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal (7), or axillary (4); unlike female; a panicle (8), or of few spikelets (2). Male spikelets distinct from female; linear (3), or lanceolate (6), or elliptic (1). Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma muticous (3/7), or awned (5/7).

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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