Axonopus obtusifolius

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent, or short. Stolons present. Culms geniculately ascending; 20–75 cm long; 0–2 -noded. Culm-nodes bearded. Leaf-sheaths 3–20 cm long; keeled; glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.4–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 2–30 cm long; 0.5–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins ciliate; hairy at base. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1–2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 15–50 cm long.

Racemes 2; paired; ascending; unilateral; 3–8 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5–3 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.4–0.6 mm wide; drab; glabrous on surface; smooth on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 3–4 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; glabrous.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.3–0.5 mm long; tip rectangular.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 3.5–5.1 mm long; 1.3–1.5 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 obscure.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1.4 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 3–5 -veined; without midvein, or with obscure midvein. Fertile lemma elliptic, or ovate; 2.5–3.1 mm long; indurate; pallid, or yellow; 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.