Dissanthelium brevifolium

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 2–4 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.6–2 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades spreading; conduplicate; 0.6–1.5 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; shorter than basal leaves.

Panicle contracted; oblong; 0.8–1.5 cm long; 0.6–0.8 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 3–3.4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.4–0.5 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 3–3.4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–3.4 mm long; 1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2.2–2.5 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex truncate. Palea keels smooth, or scaberulous.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.6–0.8 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Endosperm farinose.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Swallen.

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