Pohlidium petiolatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 7–19 cm long. Leaf-sheaths inflated. Leaf-sheath auricles erect; 2–8 mm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–8 mm long. Leaf-blade base with a false petiole. Leaf-blades elliptic, or ovate; 2–4.5 cm long; 8–16 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade apex acuminate; filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 4–8 cm long; 2–3 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 0.5–1.5 cm long.

Sexes segregated; on bisexual branches; with male above. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 3–14 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; 2.5–3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; herbaceous; keeled; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex acute. Palea 0.9 length of lemma. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 2–3; 1.5–2.4 mm long. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; laterally compressed; 1.8 mm long. Embryo 0.33 length of caryopsis.

MALE Male spikelets distinct from female; 1–4 flowered; lanceolate; 3–6.4 mm long. Male spikelet glumes absent, or 1. Male spikelet lemma 5–7 -veined; muticous.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Centotheceae. WDC.

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