Dinochloa elmeri

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms erect; zigzag; 40–50 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete; with small lumen. Lateral branches dendroid. Leaf-sheaths puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath; petiole 0.1–0.2 cm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 5–7 cm long; 6–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation indistinct; with 6–8 secondary veins. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; clustered at the nodes; in globose clusters; with glumaceous subtending bracts; with axillary buds at base of spikelet; prophyllate below lateral spikelets; leafless between clusters.

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes two; persistent; dissimilar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1 mm long. Lower glume surface puberulous. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex emarginate. Upper glume ovate; 1.5 mm long. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex emarginate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma orbicular; 2.5–4 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex emarginate; mucronate. Palea involute; coriaceous; 2-keeled (above).

FLOWER Anthers 6; 3 mm long; anther tip with extended connective. Stigmas 2–3. Ovary umbonate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with fleshy pericarp; oblong; isodiametric; 4 mm long. Endosperm evanescent.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Malesia.

NOTES Bambuseae. Gamble 1996.

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