Sporobolus paucifolius

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 58 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.5–0.8 mm long. Leaf-blades 1.5–3.7 cm long; 2–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open, or contracted; lanceolate; 11–13 cm long; 1 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending; whorled at most nodes; 0.6–3.4 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 4.5 mm long; 0.8–1 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.4–2 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 0–1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–3.5 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5–4 mm long; 0.7 mm wide; membranous; without keel; 2 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 4.1 mm long; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; ellipsoid; 1.4 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Boechat & Longhi-Wag 2005.

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