Axonopus junciformis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 120 cm long; wiry; 2–3 -noded. Leaves basal and cauline. Leaf-sheaths 7–15 cm long; without keel. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 10–50 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 30–40 cm long.

Racemes 2–4; digitate; erect, or ascending; flexuous; unilateral; 10–25 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–6 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.6–0.7 mm wide; glabrous on surface; smooth on margins, or scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 4.5 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 3.2 mm long; 1.4 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; 4 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex obtuse.

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; 4 -veined; without midvein; puberulous; acute. Fertile lemma 3.2 mm long; indurate; yellow, or light brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 1994.

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