Raddia soderstromii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; (20–)35–78(–100) cm long; (1.5–)2–3 mm diam. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes brown; pubescent. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves cauline; (2–)3–9(–10) per branch. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.4–0.7 mm long. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded; asymmetrical; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath; petiole 0.06–0.2(–0.4) cm long; petiole pubescent. Leaf-blades elliptic, or ovate; (4.5–)6–13.5 cm long; (22–)27–37 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy abaxially, or on both sides. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse; asymmetrical and apiculate.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in different inflorescences. Inflorescence composed of racemes; axillary; with 1–4(–6) peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 1.7–7 cm long.

Racemes 1; single; 1.8–3.9 cm long; 2–4(–7) mm wide; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 4–10(–18) fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis angular; pubescent on surface.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform (male), or cuneate (female); ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or ovate; dorsally compressed; 5–9(–10) mm long; 1–2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, or ovate; 4.8–9(–10) mm long; chartaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate; muticous, or mucronate, or awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn (0.6–)1–4(–6) mm long. Upper glume lanceolate, or ovate; 4.8–9(–10) mm long; chartaceous; with cartilaginous margins; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate; muticous, or mucronate, or awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn (0.6–)1–4(–6) mm long.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma ovate; 4–5.2 mm long; 0.7–1.5 mm wide; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea coriaceous.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal; unlike female; a panicle (2.5–9.5cm). Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; lanceolate; 4–5.5 mm long; hairy. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 3 -veined; muticous, or awned; with 1–1.5 mm long awn.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Olyreae. Oliveira & L-Wagner 2009.

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