Axonopus kuhlmannii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Stolons present. Culms erect; 50–100 cm long; 7–8 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths 2–10 cm long; narrower than blade at the collar; glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–40 cm long; 1.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; simple, or filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary; with 1–2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 15–30 cm long.

Racemes 3–10; digitate; spreading; flexuous; unilateral; 5–12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1.5–3 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.6–0.7 mm wide; glabrous on surface; smooth on margins, or scaberulous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 7–11 spikelets per cm.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; acute; 2 mm long; 0.5–0.7 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; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume hairs 0.5–1 mm long.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1.3 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 3–5 -veined; without midvein, or with obscure midvein. Fertile lemma 1.5 mm long; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; without ornament. 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.