Axonopus deludens

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; scaly. Culms 100–180 cm long. Leaf-sheaths keeled; glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 15–60 cm long; 8–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 12–15; digitate; unilateral; 8–15 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 10 cm long. Rhachis angular; glabrous on surface; scaberulous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.2–2.9 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 0.9–1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.2–2.9 mm long; indurate; light brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

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