Raddia distichophylla

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 12–35 cm long; wiry. Culm-nodes swollen (to form a lip); bearded. Leaves cauline; 10–12 per branch; distichous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded (truncate); asymmetrical; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades ovate; 1.2–2.2 cm long; 6–11 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 cm long; bearing few fertile spikelets. 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 elliptic; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 3–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 3–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex caudate. Upper glume elliptic; 3–5 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex caudate.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5–4.5 mm long; coriaceous; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal and axillary; unlike female; a panicle (1.5–2cm). Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; elliptic; 4–6 mm long; glabrous. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 3 -veined; muticous.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Olyreae. Gr Bahia.

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