Achlaena piptostachya Griseb. Cat. Pl. Cub.
229 (1866).
Accepted by: R.J.Soreng et al., Catalogue of New World Grasses (2000–2003), W.D.Clayton & K.Harman,
GrassBase (2008) (as Arthropogon), U. Quattrocchi, CRC World Dictionary of Grasses (2006).
TYPE from Cuba. T:<Type of Basionym>: fide TROPICOS and Kew Synonomy Database: IT: C.Wright 3487, Cuba (NY-71022, US-927103, US-75310
(fragm.)).
Recent Synonyms: Arthropogon piptostachyus (Griseb.) Pilger, Rev. Mus. Paulista 13: 1250 (1922).
Illustrations (Books): A.S.Hitchcock, Manual of the Grasses of the West Indies (1936) (158, Fig. 100).
Derivation
(Clifford & Bostock 2007): Gk. pipto, fall down; stachys, ear of corn. Spikelets deciduous.
Habit,
Vegetative Morphology. Perennial, caespitose. Butt sheaths
thickened and forming a bulb. Culms 30–75 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaves
mostly basal. Ligule a ciliolate membrane, 0.5–1 mm long. Leafblades linear or
lanceolate, 10–30 cm long, 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence a panicle. Panicle open, ovate, 7–10 cm long, 4–7 cm wide,
contracted about primary branches. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets
pedicelled. Pedicels present, filiform.
Fertile Spikelets. Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile
florets, 1 fertile florets, without rhachilla extension. Spikelets of 1 fertile
floret with or without additional sterile florets. Spikelets two-flowered - the
lower floret male or barren, the upper fertile. Spikelets lanceolate, laterally
compressed, 6–7 mm long, falling entire. Spikelet callus linear, 2 mm long,
pilose. Spikelet callus hairs 0.33 length of spikelet.
Glumes.
Glumes dissimilar, reaching apex of florets, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower
glume subulate, 10–35 mm long. Upper glume oblong, 1 length of spikelet,
coriaceous, without keels, 5–7 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper
glume awned, 1 -awned, awn 10–35 mm long.
Florets.
Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower
sterile floret similar to upper glume, oblong, 1 length of spikelet,
coriaceous, 5–7 -veined, scabrous, rough above, obtuse. Fertile lemma linear,
membranous, without keel, 3 -veined, 0–3 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea
hyaline, without keels.
Flower and Fruit. Lodicules 2, cuneate, fleshy. Anthers 2.
Stigmas 2. Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.
Distribution (TDWG). Continent. South America.
Region.
Caribbean. Country/Province/State.
Cuba, Jamaica.
Classification.
Subfamily Panicoideae. Tribe: Paniceae.
Image of Type US.