Axonopus herzogii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 40–60 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths 5–30 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades curved, or tortuous; conduplicate; 11–15 cm long; 2–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

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

Racemes 2–7; digitate; ascending; unilateral; 5–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–1.5 cm long; pilose. Rhachis angular; 0.3–0.5 mm wide; glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; ciliate on margins. Rhachis hairs white; 1–3 mm long. Spikelet packing adaxial; 8–9 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; pilose.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or ovate; dorsally compressed; acute; 2.5 mm long; 0.7 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; mid-green, or purple; 5 -veined. Upper glume margins tuberculate; villous. Upper glume hairs 2–3 mm long.

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; mid-green, or purple; 5 -veined; tuberculate on margins; villous on margins; bearing hairs 2–3 mm long. Fertile lemma 2.5 mm long; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 1994.

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