Axonopus magallanesiae

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes short. Basal innovations flabellate. Culms erect; 25–50 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-internodes 3–5 cm long; striate; distally glabrous. Culm-nodes brown; bearded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths 0.6–11.5 cm long; keeled; outer margin glabrous, or hairy. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.25 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–10 cm long; 2–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins tuberculate-ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 24–30 cm long; glabrous.

Racemes 3–5; digitate; unilateral; 4–8 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.8–1.4 cm long. Rhachis angular; with scattered hairs; scaberulous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; regular; 2 -rowed. 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 elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.2–2.5 mm long; 0.8–0.9 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 adjacent fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 4–5 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or obscure. Upper glume lateral veins distinct.

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; 4–5 -veined. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.2–2.5 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface papillose. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; without ornament. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 0.4 mm long. Anthers 3; 0.6–0.8 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gir.-Canas 2004.

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