Axonopus aureus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–110 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades (4–)6–26 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acute, or acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–14; digitate; unilateral; (2.5–)3.5–13 cm long. Rhachis angular; 1 mm wide; setose on margins. Rhachis hairs yellow. Spikelet packing adaxial; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels reduced to a stump; setose.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 1.2–2.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 2 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or puberulous; hairy in lines. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; oblong; 1 length of spikelet; 2 -veined; glabrous, or puberulous; hairy in lines; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; 1–2 mm long; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, and Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Bahia.

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