Axonopus chimantensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations flabellate. Culms 25–60 cm long; 1–2 mm diam.; 1(–2) -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section; hollow; distally glabrous, or pubescent (in lines). Culm-nodes pubescent. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths 3–9 cm long; with winged keel; outer margin hairy. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.2–0.4 mm long. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 6–18 cm long; 3.5–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; glabrous, or pubescent; sparsely hairy; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade margins ciliate. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1–2 peduncles per sheath.

Racemes 2–4; digitate; spreading; unilateral; 2.5–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5–1.8 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.5–0.8 mm wide; scaberulous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 4–5 spikelets per cm; regular; 2 -rowed. Raceme-bases pubescent.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 3–3.4 mm long; 0.9–1.1 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous; hairy between veins.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; 5 -veined; puberulous; hairy between veins. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.7–3 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1.2–1.5 mm long; purple.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Davidse 1996.

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