Axonopus grandifolius

HABIT Annual, or perennial; short-lived. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms robust; 90–120 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 15–32 cm long; 7–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 7–22; digitate; ascending; unilateral; 12–24 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 4–10 cm long. Rhachis angular; glabrous on surface; smooth 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 elliptic, or oblong; dorsally compressed; subacute; 2–2.2 mm long; 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 2 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Renvoize 1994.

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