Axonopus yutajensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Cataphylls evident. Basal innovations flabellate. Culms erect; robust; 75–100 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches sparse. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths 6–35 cm long; keeled. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.3–0.4 mm long. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; conduplicate; 5–30 cm long; 4–7 mm wide; stiff; light green. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 1–2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 30–45 cm long.

Racemes 5–8; digitate; ascending, or spreading; unilateral; 10–20 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.5 mm wide; drab; glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; 4 spikelets per cm.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels reduced to a stump; 0.3–0.5 mm long; ciliate; hairy at base; with 1–3 mm long hairs.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 2.5–2.8 mm long; 1–1.2 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; 7 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins prominent.

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; 5–7 -veined. Fertile lemma 2.5–2.8 mm long; indurate; yellow, or light brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.2–1.3 mm long; purple.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 1994.

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