Luziola gracillima

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms decumbent; 30–40 cm long. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–10 mm long. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

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

Panicle open; ovate; 5–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

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

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma orbicular; 1 mm long; membranous; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea oblong; 1 length of lemma; 5 -veined; without keels. Palea apex acute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 6–9; 4 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp; ovoid; 0.8 mm long; striate.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal; unlike female; a panicle. Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; lanceolate; 5–7 mm long. Male spikelet glumes absent.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: southern South America.

NOTES Oryzeae. Fl Nov Gall.

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