Dielsiochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms 6–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; tip pyriform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.8–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; membranous; keeled; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.2 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal. Palea gaping; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets 4–7 in number; barren; linear. Apical sterile lemmas awned.

FLOWER Anthers 2–3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; lanceolate; dorsally compressed. Embryo 0.15 length of caryopsis. Hilum linear; 0.66 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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