Spodiopogon formosanus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 60–90 cm long; 2.5–5 mm diam.; 4–6 -noded. Culm-internodes 7–10 cm long; smooth; distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths 10–30 cm long; longer than adjacent culm internode; smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.7–4 mm long. Leaf-blade base with a false petiole; petiole 0.7–2 cm long. Leaf-blades linear to lanceolate; 10–30 cm long; 5–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially; glabrous; hairless except near base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle with branches tipped by a raceme; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; ovate, or pyramidal; dense; 10–17 cm long; 2–8 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending; whorled at most nodes; 3–6 cm long. Panicle axis angular; smooth. Panicle branches capillary; bearded in axils.

Racemes 2–3 cm long; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 2–6 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis tough; subterete; glabrous on margins. Rhachis internodes 2–3 mm long.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 2 in the cluster. Pedicels 0.2–1.7 mm long, or 2.5–3.5 mm long; tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; 4–5 mm long; 1–1.5 mm wide; falling entire; deciduous from the base. Spikelet callus pilose; base obtuse; inserted. Spikelet callus hairs 1 mm long; 0.2–0.25 length of spikelet.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; chartaceous; pallid; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume apex dentate; 2 -fid. Upper glume ovate; chartaceous; pallid; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex dentate; 2 -fid.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 3 mm long; membranous; puberulous; erose; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; 2 mm long; hyaline. Lemma apex entire; emarginate; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; straight, or geniculate; 0–7 mm long overall; without a column, or with twisted column. Palea 1 length of lemma; hyaline; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: eastern Asia.

NOTES Andropogoneae. Koyama.

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