Zizaniopsis bonariensis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms reed-like; 150–300 cm long; spongy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 15–40 mm long. Leaf-blades erect; 85–130 cm long; 7–13 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade midrib prominent beneath. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 90–100 cm long. Primary panicle branches whorled at most nodes.

Sexes segregated; on bisexual branches; with male below. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 10–16 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–16 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 7–50 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 3 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 6; 5–7 mm long. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp; ovoid; isodiametric; 6–7 mm long; apex rostrate. Hilum linear.

MALE Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; lanceolate; 8–13 mm long. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 7 -veined; muticous.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Oryzeae. Fl Entre Rios 1993.

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