Axonopus chrysoblepharis

HABIT Annual, or perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 70–100 cm long; 1–2 mm diam. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches ample. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or hispid; with simple hairs, or tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.3–1.2 mm long. Collar glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blades 5–30 cm long; 5–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

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

Racemes 4–10; digitate; unilateral; 4–13 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–2 cm long. Rhachis flattened; 1–1.5 mm wide; pilose on surface (on midnerve); ciliate on margins; terminating in a barren extension. Rhachis hairs tawny. Spikelet packing adaxial.

Spikelets sunken; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1.2–1.6 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 2 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; 2 -veined; without midvein. Fertile lemma oblong; 1.2–1.6 mm long; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; without ornament. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5–0.6 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Meso-Am 1993.

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