Axonopus ramboi

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms 110–120 cm long. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Leaf-sheaths 15–30 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 5–7 mm wide; light green. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; with 2 peduncles per sheath. Peduncle 25–50 cm long.

Racemes 12–17; digitate; unilateral; 7–12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 2–5.5 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.5 mm wide; dark-coloured. Spikelet packing adaxial. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels reduced to a stump; 0–0.2 mm long; ciliate; hairy at base.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.7–2.9 mm long; 0.8–0.9 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume 1 length of spikelet; hyaline; purple; 2 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; 1 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; hyaline; purple; 2 -veined; without midvein; obscurely veined. Fertile lemma 2.3–2.4 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Black 2004.

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