Arthropogon piptostachyus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths thickened and forming a bulb. Culms 30–75 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 10–30 cm long; 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 7–10 cm long; 4–7 cm wide; contracted about primary branches.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 6–7 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus linear; 2 mm long; pilose. Spikelet callus hairs 0.33 length of spikelet.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume subulate; 10–35 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 10–35 mm long.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; oblong; 1 length of spikelet; coriaceous; 5–7 -veined; scabrous; rough above; obtuse. Fertile lemma linear; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea hyaline; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 2. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Paniceae. Filgueiras.

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