Zeugites hintonii

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 100–200 cm long; 6 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pubescent (below nodes). Leaf-sheaths keeled; outer margin hairy. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath; petiole 0.5 cm long; petiole pubescent. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 15–20 cm long; 40–50 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade surface pubescent. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 12–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–2 -nate. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 2–6 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 7–9 mm long; 3–5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; with lower wider than upper; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume orbicular; 2.5 mm long; 1.2 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 9–11 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins with cross-veins. Upper glume cuneate; gibbous; 2 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 9 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins with cross-veins. Upper glume apex truncate.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma oblate; gibbous; 3 mm long; cartilaginous; keeled; 11 -veined. Lemma lateral veins with cross-veins. Lemma surface smooth, or asperulous; rough above. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2–2.5 mm long. Apical sterile florets 8–12 in number; male; with internodes 0.1 mm long between them; ovate; 3–4 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Centotheceae. Hartley 1994.

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