Axonopus comatus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 50–100 cm long; 1–3 -noded. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths hirsute. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 20–40 cm long; 6 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface hirsute. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

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

Racemes 17; digitate; ascending; unilateral; 10–15 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.5 mm wide; drab; glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 4.5 spikelets per cm.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.6–1 mm long; ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; subacute, or acute; 3.5–3.7 mm long; 1.2–1.4 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; 9 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent; hairy at apex and between veins.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1.1 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 9 -veined; pubescent; hairy at apex; hairy also on veins. Fertile lemma 1.5–2 mm long; indurate; pallid, or yellow; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex pubescent. 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.