Lithachne horizontalis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Stolons present. Culms 10–30 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Leaves cauline. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.1 mm long. Leaf-blade base asymmetrical; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath; petiole glabrous. Leaf-blades spreading; lanceolate, or oblong; 2.5–6.5 cm long; 8–13 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in different inflorescences. Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 1 fertile spikelets; axillary; enclosed. Peduncle flattened.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile. Male spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; truncate.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 5–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; herbaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 5–6 mm long; 1.5–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma obovate; laterally compressed; gibbous; triangular in profile; 3 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex truncate. Palea indurate.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal; unlike female; a panicle (3–4cm long). Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; linear, or lanceolate; 4–6 mm long. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 3 -veined; muticous.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Olyreae. Chase.

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