Ichnanthus tarijianus

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Culm-nodes bearded. Leaf-sheaths 2–4 cm long; pubescent. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blades elliptic, or ovate. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; terminal.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 12–14 cm long; 4 cm wide; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches ascending; 1–5 cm long. Panicle branches pubescent in axils.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile and pedicelled; 2 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; acute; 3–3.4 mm long; falling entire; readily shedding fertile florets. Floret callus winged; with apical wings shrivelled to concave scars; these appendages 0.5 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2.2–2.8 mm long; 0.75 length of spikelet; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume margins eciliate, or ciliate. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 2.8–3.2 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 2.6–2.8 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; 1-keeled; 5 -veined; acute. Palea of lower sterile floret 2.3–2.5 mm long. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.4–2.6 mm long; 0.8–1 mm wide; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.4–1.9 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Rogers 2009.

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