Luziola caespitosa

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths spongy. Culms erect; 15–115 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 7–8 mm long. Leaf-blades 11–80 cm long; 3–18 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; oblong; 8–36 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1 -nate; 2–5 cm long. Panicle branches angular.

Sexes segregated; on bisexual branches; with male above. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; laterally compressed; 1.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma orbicular; 1.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma; 4 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 6.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp; ovoid.

MALE Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; elliptic; 2.5–3 mm long; glabrous. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 5 -veined.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Oryzeae. WDC.

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