Zizaniopsis villanensis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms reed-like; 120 cm long; spongy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 35–80 mm long. Leaf-blades erect; 50–90 cm long; 7–12 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 50–60 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending; whorled at most nodes.

Sexes segregated; on bisexual branches, or unisexual branches; with male below (when bisexual), or above (upper half of panicle mostly male). Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma elliptic; 5–6 mm long; chartaceous; yellow and purple; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 20–30 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 3 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 6; 3 mm long. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp; ovoid; isodiametric; apex rostrate. Hilum linear.

MALE Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; elliptic; 4–5 mm long. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 7 -veined; awned; with 1–6 mm long awn.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Oryzeae. Quarin 1993.

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