Axonopus complanatus

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending; 10–75 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-internodes terete. Culm-nodes purple; pubescent. Leaf-sheaths 3–15 cm long; without keel, or keeled. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.3–0.4 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–20 cm long; 4–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1–2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 20–45 cm long.

Racemes 2–9; paired, or digitate; spreading; unilateral; 1.7–2 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0–3.5 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.8–1 mm wide; drab; glabrous on surface; smooth on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 5 spikelets per cm.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 1.7–2 mm long; 0.8–1 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; dark green, or purple; 2–4 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent. Upper glume surface puberulous.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; dark green, or purple; 2–4 -veined; without midvein; puberulous. Fertile lemma 1.7–2 mm long; indurate; light brown, or dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex without ornament. 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.