Reederochloa eludens

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms 2–11 cm long; 2–5 -noded. Leaves cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 1.5–4 cm long; 0.2–0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Dioecious. Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 2–4 fertile spikelets; shorter than basal leaves.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile. Male spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–11 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–3.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 2–8 -veined. Lower glume margins ciliolate (below). Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–4.3 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; without keels; 8 -veined. Upper glume margins ciliolate (below). Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets imbricate to tip; female. Fertile lemma ovate; 5–6.2 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 10–13 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma margins ciliate; hairy below. Lemma apex acute. Palea tightly convolute around flower; bowed outwards; 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate; adorned below. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; 0.4 mm long; fleshy. Anthers 3; 2–3 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong. Embryo 0.4 length of caryopsis.

MALE Male inflorescence similar to female (but long exserted); of few spikelets. Male spikelets distinct from female; 3–8 flowered; persistent; elliptic; 5–13 mm long. Male spikelet glumes 2. Male spikelet lemma 8–10 -veined; muticous.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC.

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