Poaceae
Raddia

Raddia distichophylla (Schrad. ex Nees) Chase

First published in Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 21: 184 (1908)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is Brazil (Bahia). It is a herbaceous bamboo and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome.

Descriptions

Morphology General Habit
Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 12-35 cm long; wiry. Culm-nodes swollen (to form a lip); bearded. Leaves cauline; 10-12 per branch; distichous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded (truncate); asymmetrical; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades ovate; 1.2-2.2 cm long; 6-11 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse; apiculate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in different inflorescences. Inflorescence composed of racemes; axillary; embraced at base by subtending leaf. Racemes 1; single; 1 cm long; bearing few fertile spikelets. Rhachis angular. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform (male), or cuneate (female). Male inflorescence terminal and axillary; unlike female; a panicle (1.5-2cm). Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; elliptic; 4-6 mm long; glabrous. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 3 -veined; muticous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets
Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 3-5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.
Fertile
Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 3-5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume
Glumes deciduous; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 3-5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex caudate. Upper glume elliptic; 3-5 mm long; 0.8-0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex caudate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets
Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5-4.5 mm long; coriaceous; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined.
sex Male
Male inflorescence terminal and axillary; unlike female; a panicle (1.5-2cm). Male spikelets distinct from female; 1 flowered; separately deciduous; elliptic; 4-6 mm long; glabrous. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma 3 -veined; muticous.
Distribution
South America: Brazil.
Reference
Olyreae. Gr Bahia.
[GB]

Sources

  • GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora

    • Clayton, W.D., Vorontsova, M.S., Harman, K.T. and Williamson, H. (2006 onwards). GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora.
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2023. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2022 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2023. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2022 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0