Arthropogon xerachne

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths papery; persistent and investing base of culm; with curly dead sheaths. Culms 30–60 cm long. Culm-nodes constricted; pubescent. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades 5–20 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong; 6–12 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 17–33 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 7–9 mm long; 2–3 mm wide; falling entire. Spikelet callus bearded. Spikelet callus hairs 0.5–0.66 length of spikelet.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 10–13 mm long; 0.5–0.75 length of spikelet; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 8 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 7–8 mm long.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; oblong; 1 length of spikelet; coriaceous; 3 -veined; dentate; 2 -fid; obtuse; awned. Awn of lower sterile floret 3–4 mm long. Fertile lemma linear; membranous; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Filgueiras.

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