Briza parodiana

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 50–80 cm long; 1 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–3.5 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 15–50 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib scarcely raised beneath. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 7–14 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2–10 mm long; glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.3–0.4 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma orbicular; 2.5–3.5 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea obovate; coriaceous; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; 0.5 mm long; membranous; truncate. Anthers 3; 1.2–1.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. Mathei 1994.

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