Raddia brasiliensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–60 cm long. Leaves cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades oblong; 4–12 cm long; 9–25 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse; apiculate.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in different inflorescences. Inflorescence composed of racemes; axillary; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 1; single; 1–3 cm long; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 4–8 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis angular.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform (male), or cuneate (female).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 2 mm long. Upper glume ovate; 4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5–4 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal; unlike female; a panicle (4–6cm). Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; linear; 5 mm long; glabrous. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 3 -veined; awned (1mm).

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Olyreae. WDC.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Several female inflorescences per node.

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