Munroa mendocina

HABIT Annual; mat forming. Stolons present; with alternating elongated and bunched internodes. Culms decumbent; 5–10 cm long. Culm-internodes alternately elongated and bunched. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 1.5–2 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 2–3 fertile spikelets; terminal and axillary (in a leafy fascicle); shorter than basal leaves; deciduous as a whole; embraced at base by subtending leaf. Peduncle disarticulating; disarticulating below uppermost sheaths (2 sheaths).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4–4.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3.5–4 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins extending close to apex. Lemma margins eciliate. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 0.5–1 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 2; 1.25 mm long. Stigmas 2; papillose.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; 1.5 mm long; smooth (translucent). Embryo projecting below grain.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC.

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