Cymbopogon bhutanicus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect; 120–150 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3.5–4 mm long; scarious. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blade base tapering to the midrib. Leaf-blades involute; 40–80 cm long; 5–9.8 mm wide; glaucous; aromatic. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence compound; linear; 30–60 cm long; lax. Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary; subtended by a spatheole; enclosed. Spatheole elliptic; 1.5–2.6 cm long; red.

Racemes 2; paired; deflexed; 1.5–2 cm long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; semiterete; pubescent on surface (above); ciliate on margins. Rhachis hairs 1.5–2.5 mm long. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip transverse; cupuliform. Raceme-bases flattened; unequal (the longer measured); pubescent.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels linear; semiterete; ciliate; with 1.5–2.5 mm long hairs.

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets well-developed; 2 in number (lower raceme); 0 in upper raceme; with normal internodes; sessile and pedicelled. Basal sterile spikelet pedicels free; linear. Basal sterile spikelets male; equalling fertile. Basal sterile spikelet lower glume muticous.

Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; male; lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; as long as fertile; deciduous with the fertile. Companion sterile spikelet glumes chartaceous; acute; muticous. Companion sterile spikelet lemmas 2; enclosed by glumes.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 5–6 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus base obtuse; inserted.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; chartaceous; with oil streaks; 2-keeled; keeled all along; keeled laterally; wingless. Lower glume intercarinal veins distinct; 2(–3) in number. Lower glume surface concave. Upper glume lanceolate; 1-keeled; keeled above; winged on keel; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate; hyaline. Fertile lemma lanceolate; 4 mm long; hyaline; without keel. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 11–13 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 6 mm long; glabrous. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Andropogoneae. Fl Bhutan 2001.

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