Sporobolus reflexus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect; 20–80 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.2–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 4.8–30 cm long; 1–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scabrous; glabrous, or ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle 9–43 cm long.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 6–16 cm long; 2–6 cm wide. Primary panicle branches reflexed; whorled at most nodes; 0.3–4 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; subterete; 2.5–5 mm long; 0.8–1.8 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.2–1.5 mm long; 0.33–0.5 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 0–1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.2–3 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2.2–4.5 mm long; 0.5–0.7 mm wide; membranous; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea readily splitting down midline; 2.3–4.3 mm long; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.7–2.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; oblong; 1.8–2.2 mm long; light brown; rugose. Embryo 0.25–0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Boechat & Longhi-Wag 2002.

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