Sporobolus acuminatus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 80–130 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 20–25 cm long; 8–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins ciliate. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 20–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches whorled at most nodes; 6–8 cm long; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; subterete; 3–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume elliptic; 0.33–0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3–3.5 mm long; membranous; light brown; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Parodi 1995.

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