Axonopus jesuiticus

HABIT Perennial; mat forming. Stolons present. Culms decumbent; 20–40 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades linear; conduplicate; 7–29 cm long; 0.5–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins glabrous, or ciliate; hairy at base. Leaf-blade apex abruptly acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary.

Racemes (2–)3–5(–6); digitate; erect; unilateral; 5–9.5 cm long. Rhachis angular; glabrous on surface; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 1.9–2 mm long; 0.7–0.8 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 1.1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 2(–4) -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent. Upper glume lateral veins obscure. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1.1–1.2 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 2(–4) -veined; without midvein; glabrous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.6–1.8 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface papillose. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; red.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Sao Paulo 2001.

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