Axonopus cuatrecasasii

HABIT Perennial. Stolons absent, or present. Culms erect; slender; 80–120 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths keeled. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 15–30 cm long; 2–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade apex obtuse; hooded.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 50 cm long.

Racemes 6; digitate; erect, or ascending; unilateral; 10–16 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.7–0.8 mm wide; drab; glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 7 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; glabrous.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; acute; 1.7–1.8 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; 2 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent.

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; 2 -veined; without midvein. Fertile lemma 1.7–1.8 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; without ornament. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America and western South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 1994.

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