Aristida brittonorum

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; robust; 60–100 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 15–30 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide; stiff.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; interrupted; 20–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2–5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 10–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 1 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–10 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; membranous; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 7 mm long; coriaceous; 3 -veined. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex with a short cylindrical neck; with this appendage 1 mm long; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn spreading; with 15–20 mm long limb. Lateral lemma awns spreading as much as principal and gyrate; 15–20 mm long; subequal to principal.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Aristideae. Man Gr WI 1997.

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