Axonopus equitans

HABIT Perennial. Culms 45 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths 5–40 cm long; keeled; pilose. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5–0.6 mm long. Leaf-blades 5–20 cm long; 4–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous. Leaf-blade surface smooth; pilose. Leaf-blade apex obtuse, or abruptly acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1–2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 15–30 cm long.

Racemes 4; digitate; ascending; unilateral; 8–15 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 4–5 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.4 mm wide; drab; glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 5.5 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent.

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; compressed slightly; obtuse; 2.3–2.4 mm long; 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; purple; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins obscure, or distinct. Upper glume surface pubescent; hairy 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; purple; 5 -veined; obscurely veined, or distinctly veined; pubescent; hairy between veins. Fertile lemma 2.1–2.2 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean, northern South America, and Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 1994.

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