Otachyrium aquaticum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 25–42 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 10–20 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 8–11 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 1.8–2.3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.33 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 0.33–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; obtuse. Palea of lower sterile floret winged on keels; pilose. Fertile lemma ovate; 1.8–2.3 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea coriaceous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; dorsally compressed; 1 mm long. Embryo 0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. WDC.

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