Relchela

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms erect, or decumbent; 20–100 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted. Primary panicle branches whorled at most nodes.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes suppressed between florets, or definite; pubescent. Floret callus evident; pubescent; truncate.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; reaching apex of florets, or exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous; without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; indurate; without keel; wingless; 5–7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface scaberulous; unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; trigonous. Hilum linear; 0.33 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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