Raddiella minima

HABIT Annual; mat forming. Culms rambling; 3–6 cm long. Culm-internodes purple. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaves 3–5 per branch. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface, or pubescent; outer margin hairy. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded; asymmetrical; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath; petiole glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blades ovate; 0.4–0.6 cm long; 2.7–3.3 mm wide; membranous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acute; apiculate.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in different inflorescences. Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 2 fertile spikelets; axillary; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1–1.4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Spikelet callus square; incorporating lowest rhachilla internode with adnate lower glume; 0.2 mm long. Rhachilla internodes elongated between glumes.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic, or ovate; 1–1.4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic, or ovate; 1–1.4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma ovate; 0.9–1.2 mm long; indurate; pallid, or dark brown; shiny; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.6 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid, or orbicular; 0.7 mm long. Hilum punctiform.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal; unlike female; of few spikelets (1 spikelet). Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; elliptic; 1.3 mm long; glabrous. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 3 -veined; muticous.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Olyreae. Zul & Jud 1992.

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