Leptochloa monticola

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 80–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 20–30 cm long; 2–6 mm wide; coriaceous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; borne along a central axis; closely spaced; straight; unilateral; 3–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 20–30 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels scaberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 8–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.5–0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent; hairy below. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma surface villous. Lemma margins villous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid. Palea 0.75 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC.

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