Setariopsis auriculata

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 15–60 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blades 3–25 cm long; 2–12 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear, or lanceolate; interrupted; 3–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches 0.5–2 cm long; sterile at the tips. Panicle branches angular; scabrous.

Spikelets subtended by an involucre. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Involucre composed of bristles; 3–8 mm long. Involucral bristles persistent; 1 per spikelet. Pedicels oblong; 0.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 2–2.5 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes elongated between glumes.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate; 0.33 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; gibbous; membranous, or coriaceous (at maturity); without keels; winged on margins (at maturity); winged below (auriculate); 11–13 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous, or coriaceous (at maturity); thicker on margins (below); sulcate; obtuse. Palea of lower sterile floret hyaline (0.25 length of lemma). Fertile lemma ovate; 2–2.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma surface rugose. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea indurate (rugose).

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Paniceae. WDC.

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