Dissanthelium giganteum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 22–35 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2.5–5 mm long. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 8–20 cm long; 4 mm wide; stiff.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; shorter than basal leaves.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 9–11 cm long; 0.5–0.7 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 5–5.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–5.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–5.5 mm long; 1.6–1.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3–3.5 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex acute.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr Peru 1997.

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