Spheneria

HABIT Perennial. Culms 10–40 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; unilateral. Central inflorescence axis tip filiform. Rhachis terminating in a barren extension; extension subulate. Spikelet packing abaxial; 1 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear; tip oblique.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; dorsally compressed; 2.5–3.5 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus linear; pubescent; base pungent; attached obliquely.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume oblong; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent; with a transverse fringe of hair. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret obovate; membranous; 5 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma obovate; indurate; without keel; wingless. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex rostrate. Palea indurate.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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