Leptochloa viscida

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms decumbent; 10–30 cm long. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths viscid; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 1–4 mm wide; viscid.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 15–35; borne along a central axis; closely spaced; erect, or ascending; unilateral; 2–4 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–8 cm long. Rhachis semiterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; irregular.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

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

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong, or ovate; 2 mm long; membranous; viscid; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent; hairy below. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex acute, or acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA, south-central USA, and Mexico.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Man US Gr 1997.

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