Neobouteloua lophostachya

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 10–30 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 2–4 cm long; 1–3 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 15–30; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 1–3 cm long; bearing 15–20 fertile spikelets on each. Central inflorescence axis 5–10 cm long.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 3–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 2 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 2.5 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3–3.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 3 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2.5 mm long overall. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 1–1.5 mm long; shorter than principal. Rhachilla extension glabrous. Apical sterile florets 4–5 in number; barren; in a clump; ovate; 0.5–1 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas lobed (acutely); 3 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns 2–3 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; dorsally compressed; 1.25 mm long. Embryo 0.25 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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