Bouteloua vaneedenii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Culms erect; 30–40 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.1–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 6–10 cm long; 0.5–1.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 15–35; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 0.6–1 cm long; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 1–5 fertile spikelets on each. Central inflorescence axis 12–15 cm long; tip filiform. Rhachis deciduous from axis; angular; terminating in a barren extension; extension subulate. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets well-developed.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 4–6 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–4 mm long; 0.5–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5–5 mm long; coriaceous; mid-green; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 3 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn 0.5–1 mm long overall. Lateral lemma awns arising on margin of lemma; 0.5–1 mm long; subequal to principal. Palea apex with excurrent keel veins. Rhachilla extension glabrous. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; rudimentary. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 3 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns unequal; 1–2.5 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Gould.

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