Briza brasiliensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 45–90 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.8–2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 6–25 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib keeled beneath. Leaf-blade surface ungrooved; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; 13–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–4 mm long; glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets orbicular; laterally compressed; 2.5–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.2–0.3 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 2.1–2.9 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 2.1–2.9 mm long; 1–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma orbicular; 2–2.5 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea elliptic; 1.7–2.3 mm long; coriaceous; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; lanceolate; 0.4 mm long; membranous; acute. Anthers 1; 0.4 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; trigonous; 1.4–1.5 mm long. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Poeae. Mathei 1994.

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