Luziola brasiliana

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 17–60 cm long. Leaves basal and cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–30 cm long; 2–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in different inflorescences. Inflorescence a panicle; axillary.

Panicle open; ovate; 6–17 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; subterete; 1.5–2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma orbicular; 1.5–2 mm long; membranous; mid-green; without keel; 11 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma apex acute. Palea lanceolate; 1 length of lemma; 11 -veined; without keels. Palea apex acute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 12.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp; ovoid; exposed between gaping lemma and palea at maturity; 1.5–2 mm long; striate.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal; unlike female; a panicle. Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; elliptic, or oblong; 4.5–5.5 mm long. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 9 -veined.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Oryzeae. Gr Bahia.

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