Steinchisma spathellosum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms geniculately ascending; 30–80 cm long; 2–3 mm diam. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 1–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 10–20 cm long. Panicle branches secund.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2–5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; acute; 3–4 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.33–0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; acute. Palea of lower sterile floret becoming indurate on flanks at maturity; 1 length of lemma. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5–3.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea coriaceous; without keels.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Nov Gal.

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