Sporobolus platensis

HABIT Perennial. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms 30–100 cm long; 5–6 -noded. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 20–30 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; sparsely hairy; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 10–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 4–5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels angular; scaberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume elliptic; 4 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4.5–5 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 6–7 mm long; membranous; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea readily splitting down midline; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long; purple.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; ellipsoid; 3–3.5 mm long; dark brown. Embryo 0.33 length of caryopsis.

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.