Tovarochloa peruviana

HABIT Annual. Culms 0.4–1 cm long. Leaves without demarcation between sheath and blade. Leaf-sheaths inflated. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades triangular; 0.2–0.3 cm long; 1.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 1–30 fertile spikelets; shorter than basal leaves; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle capitate; 0.3–0.8 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

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

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets, or shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; parallel to lemmas, or recurved at apex. Lower glume oblong; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex cuspidate. Upper glume oblong; 0.9–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex cuspidate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3–3.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 1–5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex cuspidate; muticous, or mucronate. Palea 1 length of lemma; 1–2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous; 2-toothed. Anthers 3; 0.4–0.6 mm long. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; laterally compressed; 1.3–1.7 mm long. Embryo 0.4 length of caryopsis; projecting below grain. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. WDC.

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