Luziola divergens

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 15–35 cm long. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–25 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

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

Panicle open; ovate; 10 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading, or reflexed.

Spikelets spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; subterete; 2.5–3.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5–3.5 mm long; membranous; purple; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma apex acute. Palea lanceolate; 1 length of lemma; 5 -veined; without keels. Palea apex acute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp; ovoid; 2.2 mm long; dark brown; striate.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal; unlike female; a panicle. Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; linear; 5 mm long. Male spikelet glumes absent.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Oryzeae. Swallen.

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