Lepturidium insulare

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 10–30 cm long; wiry. Leaves distichous. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 1–2 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade surface ribbed. Leaf-blade apex obtuse; hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 5–8 cm long. Rhachis angular; scaberulous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax; 1.25–2 their length apart; irregular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; acute; 3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume linear; 3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume linear; 3 mm long; 1.25 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein conspicuous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5–2.75 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; mucronate. Rhachilla extension 0.75 length of fertile floret. Apical sterile florets 0–1 in number; barren; lanceolate; 0–2 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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