Capillipedium parviflorum (R. Br.) Stapf

Two varieties are found in Taiwan.

Capillipedium parviflorum introgresses with C. assimile at the tetraploid level where both species are sympatric, resulting in apomictic hybrids. Tetraploid C. parviflorum also introgresses extensively with tetraploid Bothriochloa bladhii, likewise forming apomictic, hybrid races that cause much taxonomic difficulty. The name B. glabra has been applied to these hybrids.

In Asia and Australia in particular this species is quite variable, mainly due to introgression from Bothriochloa bladhii, and DeWet (in Am. J. Bot. 54: 384-387. 1967) has distinguished four varieties. Two of these are restricted to Australia and New Guinea while the others are of wider distribution, both occurring in South-west Asia. The two Asian varieties may be distinguished as follows:

var. parviflorum: includes plants with 1-4 articulate racemes, very rarely as many as 6; robust or slender plants with glabrous to pilose leaves and culms. Sexually reproducing diploids (2n=20) and apomictic segmental allopolyploids (2n=40, 50, 60) are known.

var. “capilliflorum” (as Dichanthium parviflorum (R. Br.) DeWet var. capilliflorum (Steud.) DeWet & Harlan, based on Andropogon capilliflorum Steud.): includes plants with 3-5-articulate racemes, very rarely 2-3 but these scattered in inflorescences otherwise with 3-5-articulate racemes. Apomictic segmental allopolyploids with 2n=40, 50, 60.

These varieties can be distinguished chemically by their essential oils, but their morphological differences are far too vague for them to be maintained in this Flora.

Although at the diploid level Capillipedium parviflorum and Capillipedium assimile are genetically completely isolated (DeWet & Harlan in Taxon 19:339-340. 1970) they introgress at the tetraploid level.

Perennial. Culms tufted, 50–120 cm tall, 0.5–2 mm in diam., not or little branched, nodes bearded. Leaf sheaths glabrous or pilose, ciliate at mouth; leaf blades 15–30 × 0.3–0.8 cm, scaberulous or pubescent, usually hispid with tubercle-based hairs toward base, base rounded, apex acuminate; ligule 0.5–1 mm. Panicle oblong in outline, 9–20 × 2–5 cm; branches untidily flexuous, pilose in axils; racemes usually composed of triads, occasionally with 1–2 additional spikelet pairs, purple; rachis internodes and pedicels shortly ciliate at base. Sessile spikelet 3–4 mm; lower glume oblong-lanceolate, slightly glossy, back 2-veined, shallowly concave between veins, hispidulous, margins keeled, pectinate-ciliate above middle, apex narrowly obtuse; upper glume ciliate along upper margins; awn of upper lemma 1–1.5 cm. Pedicelled spikelet equaling the sessile and often staminate, or smaller and barren. Fl. and fr. Aug–Dec. 2n = 20, 40, 60.

Tufted perennial; culms slender, 50-150 cm high. Leaf-blades 10-30 cm long, 2-7 mm wide, rounded or slightly narrowed at the base. Inflorescence 8-25 cm long; racemes reduced to a single triad of 1 sessile and 2 pedicelled spikelets, rarely with 2-6 sessile spikelets (up to 10 in Australia). Sessile spikelet narrowly oblong, 2.4-3.3 mm long, scabrid, occasionally pubescent, acute; lower glume shallowly concave with 2 intercarinal nerves; awn 10-15 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet lanceolate, 2.2-3.5 mm long.

Tropics of Old World, China, Japan, Australia.

Distribution: Pakistan (Baluchistan, Punjab, N.W.F.P. & Kashmir); eastern Africa from Sudan to Mozambique; tropical Asia and Australia.

200-2700 m

Fl. & Fr. Per.: May-September.

Mountain slopes, streams. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand; Africa, SW Asia, Australia].

Holcus parviflorus R. Br., Prodr. 199. 1810.
Bothriochloa parviflora (R. Br.) Ohwi, Act. Phytotax. Geobot. 11: 166. 1942.
Andropogon micranthus Kunth, Rev. Gram. l: 165. 1829; Merr. in Philip. Journ. Sci. l: Supp. 331. 1906; Honda, l. c. 343. 1930.
Bothriochloa parviflora var. specigera (Benth.) Ohwi, l. c. 1l: 166. I942.

Holcus parviflorus R. Brown, Prodr. 199. 1810; Andro-pogon cinctus Steudel; Bothriochloa parviflora (R. Brown) Ohwi; Chrysopogon pictus Hance.

parviflorum: small flowered

Perennial grass, up to 1 m but usually smaller. Inflorescence a delicate, loose panicle. Spikelets reddish-purple with long hair-like awns.

Frequent