Rhombolytrum monandrum

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 50–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 6–12 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 8–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.2 mm long. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; thickened on margins at base; dorsally compressed; 2.5–3.5 mm long; membranous; firmer on margins; keeled; lightly keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below. Lemma margins ciliate; hairy below. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface pilose; hairy on back. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 1. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; dorsally compressed; concavo-convex. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Poeae. WDC.

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