Axonopus succulentus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–120 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths 8–30 cm long. Leaf-sheath auricles absent, or erect. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–50 cm long; 10–20 mm wide; light green, or glaucous. Leaf-blade surface smooth; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse; soon splitting, or simple.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 2–3 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 30–45 cm long.

Racemes 15–25; digitate; ascending; unilateral; 8–18 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 5–8 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.4 mm wide; drab; glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 5–5.5 spikelets per cm. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile. Pedicels reduced to a stump; bearing a few hairs; hairy at base.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; dorsally compressed; obtuse, or subacute; 2.4–2.5 mm long; 0.7–0.9 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; purple; 2 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent. Upper glume surface pubescent; hairy on veins.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; 2 -veined; without midvein; pubescent; hairy on veins. Fertile lemma 2.4–2.5 mm long; indurate; light brown, or dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; without ornament. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 1994.

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