Axonopus graniticola

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes short. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 95–125 cm long; 5–8.5 mm diam. Culm-internodes terete; distally glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves cauline; distichous. Leaf-sheaths 5.5–32 cm long; longer than adjacent culm internode; keeled; striately veined; antrorsely scabrous. Ligule a ciliolate membrane, or absent; 0.15–0.2 mm long. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded, or cordate; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath; petiole 0.1–0.2 cm long. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate, or oblong; (4.5–)12–32 cm long; 15–25 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation prominent. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides; pilose; sparsely hairy; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle with branches tipped by a raceme, or composed of racemes; terminal and axillary. Peduncle 25–55 cm long; antrorsely scabrous above.

Racemes 26–27; borne along a central axis (the primary branches of it); distant; unilateral; (4–)9–16.5 cm long; secondarily branched. Central inflorescence axis 8–16.5 cm long. Rhachis angular; pubescent on surface; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; (2–)4–6 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases filiform.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; dorsally compressed; acute; 1.8–2 mm long; 0.6–0.8 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 2–5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins prominent. Upper glume surface asperulous; rough at apex.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 2(–3) -veined. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.8–2 mm long; 0.8–0.9 mm wide; indurate; light brown, or dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface papillose. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; pubescent. Palea involute; 1.7–1.9 mm long; indurate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; oblong; 0.2–0.3 mm long; irregularly toothed. Anthers 3; medifixed; 0.8 mm long; purple. Stigmas 2; sparsely hairy.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Viana 2013.

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