Eragrostis guatemalensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 65–115 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths without keel; pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.3–0.4 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 10–22 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy adaxially, or on both sides; with tubercle-based hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 24–30 cm long; 12–21 cm wide. Panicle branches bearded in axils.

Spikelets spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2–3 length of fertile spikelet.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5–7 mm long; 1.2–2.1 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1–1.5 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.5–2 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2–2.4 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex acute. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.3–0.4 mm long; purple.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; trigonous; sulcate on hilar side; 0.6–0.8 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl Meso-Am 1995.

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