Axonopus mathewsii

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 35–50 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths 6–15 cm long; outer margin hairy. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.4–0.7 mm long. Leaf-blades 7–15 cm long; 5–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1–2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 10–30 cm long.

Racemes 2–8; digitate; spreading, or deflexed; unilateral; 4–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 4–5 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.3–0.4 mm wide; dark-coloured (purple); glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 4 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.6–0.9 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 2.5–2.6 mm long; 0.8 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; 4–5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Upper glume surface glabrous.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1.2 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 4 -veined; without midvein; glabrous. Fertile lemma 2.2–2.3 mm long; indurate; light brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. 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.