Ortachne rariflora

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 12–44 cm long; 0.5–1 mm diam.; 1–2 -noded. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.6–1.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades erect; filiform; convolute; 5–7.5 cm long; 0.7–4 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; dense; 6–9 cm long; 2–4 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear; 2–8 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 3.8–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 0.5 mm long; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 3.5–4.2 mm long; 1–1.1 length of upper glume; hyaline; purple; without keels; 0–1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex emarginate, or truncate. Upper glume oblong; 3.2–4 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 0–1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex entire, or erose; obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3.8–5 mm long; membranous; purple; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved, or flexuous; 38–52 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface scaberulous.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous; obtuse. Anthers 3; 1.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; 3 mm long; dark brown; rugose. Hilum linear; 1 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Nicora.

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