Oryza latifolia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 100–300 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths 22–42 cm long; smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–7 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 25–72 cm long; 10–40 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 20–50 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches whorled at most nodes; 14–25 cm long. Panicle branches angular.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear; angular; 1–6 mm long; tip cupuliform and lobed.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–9 mm long; 2.5–2.8 mm wide; falling entire. Spikelet callus glabrous; base truncate.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets similar; barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret linear; 2.5–4.5 mm long; 0.5 length of spikelet; 1 -veined; without lateral veins. Lemma of upper sterile floret linear; 2.5–4.5 mm long; 1 length of lower sterile floret. Fertile lemma oblong; laterally compressed; 5–9 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein spinulose. Lemma surface granulose. Lemma margins interlocking with palea margins. Lemma apex rostrate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 8–10 mm long overall; limb scabrous. Palea elliptic; coriaceous; 3 -veined; 1-keeled. Palea keels spinulose. Palea surface granular. Palea apex acute; awned; awns 0.5–1 mm long.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 6; 3.5–4 mm long. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 6–6.5 mm long. Disseminule comprising a floret.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Oryzeae. Fl Entre Rios.

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