Deyeuxia ligulata

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms erect; 25–65 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 10–15 mm long; acuminate. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 3–15 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 7–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–5.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes elongated below proximal fertile floret. Floret callus bearded. Floret callus hairs 1 length of lemma.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–5.8 mm long; 1.2–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3.5–4.8 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma apex erose; truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.25–0.33 way up back of lemma; straight; 3.5–4 mm long overall. Rhachilla extension 1.5–1.8 mm long; pilose; with 2–3 mm long hairs.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform. Disseminule comprising a floret.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America and western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Tovar 1995.

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