Merostachys sparsiflora

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms erect; 600–800 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement many; flabellate; thinner than stem. Leaf-sheath oral hairs setose. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Collar with external ligule. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or oblong; 6.5–20 cm long; 10–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 5–18 cm long. Rhachis terminating in a sterile spikelet. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 10–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume ovate; 6 mm long; chartaceous. Lower glume apex acute, or acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 11 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 8 mm long; chartaceous; without keel. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; chartaceous. Palea keels contiguous above a sulcus.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Bambuseae. Gr Bahia 1997.

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