Chloris paniculata

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 40–70 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule absent. Leaf-blades 25–50 cm long; 2.5–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; 50–60; borne along a central axis; closely spaced; in a multilateral false spike; unilateral; 2–5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 10–12 cm long. Rhachis subterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 2.6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.2 mm long; 0.4 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3 mm long; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; laterally compressed; 2.6 mm long; cartilaginous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 2.5–2.8 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; oblong; 1.5 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns 1.5–1.8 mm long; 1 per spikelet in number.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; dorsally compressed; trigonous.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Anderson.

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