Streptochaeta sodiroana

HABIT Perennial. Rootstock evident. Culms 50–80 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades elliptic; 17–30 cm long; 50–95 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; paucilateral; 15–27 cm long; bearing 42–100 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis angular; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing 0.05–0.25 their length apart (1–4mm).

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate (conical); subterete; 13–17 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus pubescent; base truncate.

GLUMES Glumes several; 5 empty glumes; whorled; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 1 mm long; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex lobed; 2 -fid; truncate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 13–17 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 11 -veined. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn coiled; 30–40 mm long overall. Palea reflexed at apex; lanceolate; 0.75 length of lemma; coriaceous; 10 -veined; without keels. Palea apex divided to base; acuminate.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; lanceolate; 11 mm long; scarious; veined; obtuse, or acute. Anthers 6; 4–5 mm long. Filaments united in a tube. Stigmas 3; papillose.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear; biconvex.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, western South America, and Brazil.

NOTES Streptochaeteae. Pohl.

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