Aristida ekmaniana

HABIT Perennial. Culms (58–)70–85(–115) cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheath oral hairs lacking, or bearded. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2 mm long. Collar glabrous. Leaf-blades curled (lower), or straight (upper); flat (lower), or conduplicate (upper); (7–)11–34 cm long; 1.8–3.6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially; glabrous, or pilose; hairless except near base; moderately hairy; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acute; antrorsely scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; 15–33 cm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets subterete; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; straight; 0.8–1.2 mm long; bearded; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; dissimilar (lower longer, shorter or subequal upper). Lower glume lanceolate; 9.8–14.2 mm long; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume surface asperulous; rough generally. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8.5–14 mm long; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface smooth. Upper glume apex entire, or dentate; 2 -fid; setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma subterete; 6–7 mm long; without keel; rounded throughout; 3 -veined. Lemma surface smooth; without grooves. Lemma margins convolute. Lemma apex awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; ascending; simple at base; with (14–)15–22(–30) mm long limb; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn (5–)8–12 mm long. Lateral lemma awns ascending; 13–20(–25) mm long; shorter than principal.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Aristideae. Lo-W 1993.

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