Digitaria villiculmis

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 25–45 cm long; 2 -noded; with 0.4–0.5 of their length below uppermost node. Culm-internodes distally hirsute. Culm-nodes constricted; bearded. Leaf-sheaths hirsute; hairs yellow. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades 8–9(–20) cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; unilateral; 6–9 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–1.5 cm long; villous. Rhachis angular; villous on surface; scabrous on margins. Raceme-bases hirsute.

Spikelets in threes. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 3 in the cluster. Pedicels unequal; villous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; 1.5–1.9 mm long; 1 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent; with capitate hairs. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; pubescent; with capitate hairs; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.5–1.9 mm long; cartilaginous; much thinner on margins; dark brown; without keel. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex apiculate. Palea cartilaginous.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Henr 1997.

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