Aristida chiclayensis

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending; 10–15 cm long. Lateral branches ample; arising from lower culm. Leaf-sheaths 1–2 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 2–4 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 3–4 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 14–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1.5–2 mm long; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 8–10 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume linear; 14–15 mm long; 3–4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous. Upper glume apex dentate; 2 -fid.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 3.5–4.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3-branched; with 27–40 mm long limb; with twisted column; limb scabrous. Column of lemma awn 4.5–6 mm long. Lateral lemma awns subequal to principal. Palea 1.3 mm long; 0.33 length of lemma.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aristideae. Gr Peru 1995.

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