Axonopus scoparius

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Stolons absent, or present. Culms erect; robust; 100–150 cm long; 3–7 mm diam. Culm-internodes solid. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths keeled. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1–2.7 mm long. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blades 15–50 cm long; 5–30 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle 15–30 cm long.

Racemes numerous; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 6–12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 7–15 cm long. Rhachis angular; with scattered hairs, or glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.7–2.9 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent; hairy between veins.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; 3 -veined; with evident midvein; pubescent; hairy between veins. Fertile lemma oblong; 2.2–2.4 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; scabrous. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5–1.7 mm long; purple.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Mesoamericana, northern South America, western South America, and Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Costaric 1993.

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