Deyeuxia spruceana

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–60 cm long. Leaf-sheath auricles erect; 2–3 mm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 10–25 cm long; 1.5–2 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade surface smooth. Leaf-blade apex abruptly acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open, or contracted; lanceolate; dense; 9–17 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3–3.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3–3.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 4–5 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Rhachilla extension 3–3.5 mm long; 1 length of fertile floret; pilose; hairy throughout; with 0.5 mm long hairs.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Disseminule comprising a floret.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. WDC 2001.

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