Isachne disperma

HABIT Perennial. Culms scandent; 300–600 cm long; 2–5 mm diam. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 10–20 cm long; 10–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 10–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; dorsally compressed; 1 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma orbicular; 1 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Isachneae. N Amer Fl 1994.

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