Apoclada

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms erect; 500–800 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement several; in a horizontal line; with 3 branches dominant; thinner than stem. Culm-sheaths persistent; without auricles. Culm-sheath blade triangular. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 8–12 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate, or oblong; laterally compressed; 20–30 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; chartaceous; keeled; wingless; 9–11 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; puberulous; hairy on veins. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea 0.8 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous. Anthers 3–5. Stigmas 2. Ovary umbonate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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