Cambajuva

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms erect; 200–300 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement one; solitary. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate; stiff. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 18–22 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes two, or several; persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute; awned. Upper glume lanceolate; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; chartaceous; without keel; wingless. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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