Anthochloa lepidula

HABIT Perennial; cushion forming. Culms 3–12 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; lacerate. Leaf-blades 1–5 cm long; 0.5–2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; shorter than basal leaves; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle spiciform; oblong, or ovate; 0.7–3 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 4–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1.5–2 mm long; 0.6–0.8 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume orbicular; 2–3 mm long; 0.6–0.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma flabellate; 3–4 mm long; hyaline (herbaceous near base); pallid; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex emarginate. Palea 0.5 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined. Palea apex lobed; 4 -fid. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America and southern South America.

NOTES Meliceae. WDC.

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