Leptocoryphium lanatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with fibrous dead sheaths. Culms erect; 60–90 cm long; 1–2 mm diam. Culm-nodes black. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 20–40 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 8–15 cm long; 1–3 cm wide.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–4 mm long; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface villous; hairy on veins. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; linear; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5–7 -veined; ribbed; villous; hairy on veins; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; dorsally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; cartilaginous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; dark brown; without keel. Lemma margins flat. Lemma apex acute. Palea gaping; 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Pohl.

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