Axonopus apricus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 30–40 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths 3–10 cm long; wider than blade at the collar; without keel. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades curved; filiform; 5–10 cm long; 1 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 15–20 cm long.

Racemes 2–3; paired, or digitate; ascending; unilateral; 3–7 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0–1 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.6 mm wide; glabrous on surface; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 4–5 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.2–0.3 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; dorsally compressed; subacute; 2.5 mm long; 0.7 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 4–5 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume surface pilose; hairy between veins.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1–1.1 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 4–5 -veined; without midvein, or with evident midvein; pilose; hairy between veins. Fertile lemma 2.3–2.5 mm long; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 1994.

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