Axonopus furcatus

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms 20–80 cm long; wiry; 1–5 -noded. Culm-internodes terete, or elliptical in section. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths 1–25 cm long; without keel, or keeled. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.3–0.4 mm long. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 3–25 cm long; 2–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous to pilose; densely hairy. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal, or terminal and axillary; with 1–2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 10–60 cm long.

Racemes 2; paired; spreading; unilateral; 7–10 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; flattened; drab; glabrous on surface; scaberulous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 1.8–6 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief, or linear; 0–5 mm long; 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; acuminate; 3.5–5 mm long; 1.5 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; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy on veins.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1.3–1.6 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 5–7 -veined; glabrous, or pubescent; hairy on veins. Fertile lemma 2.7–3.2 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: south-central USA and southeast USA. South America: Caribbean and northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 1994.

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