Aciachne pulvinata

HABIT Perennial; cushion forming. Culms 1–3 cm long. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.7 mm long. Leaf-blades aciculate; conduplicate; 0.4–1 cm long; 0.3–0.4 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade venation comprising 3 vascular bundles; with continuous uniform subepidermal sclerenchyma layer on the underside. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acute; pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 1(–3) fertile spikelets; shorter than basal leaves.

Spikelets solitary.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus truncate.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture. Lower glume oblong; 1.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 1.5 mm long; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; subterete; lanceolate in profile; 3 mm long; coriaceous; shiny; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex rostrate. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea apex emarginate.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous; veinless. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Disseminule comprising a floret.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America and western South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Pohl.

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