Dissanthelium peruvianum

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending; 2.5–13 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–4 mm long. Leaf-blades flat; 1–4 cm long; 1.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; shorter than basal leaves.

Panicle spiciform; oblong; 1–3.5 cm long; 0.4–0.8 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 2.8–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.3–0.4 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein smooth, or scaberulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 2.8–3.5 mm long; 1.3–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein smooth, or scaberulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2.2–2.5 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma surface smooth; glabrous. Lemma apex obtuse.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.3 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Endosperm farinose.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. Swallen.

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