滇竹 dian zhu

Oxytenanthera felix Keng, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 30: 425. 1940.

Culms to 9 m; internodes unknown. Culm sheaths unknown. Leaf sheath initially pubescent; glabrous in age; ligule concave, 3–4 mm; blade 30–45 × 4.5–6 cm. Inflorescence on leafless branches. Pseudospikelets in heads to 5 cm in diam. Spikelets 1.6–2.2 cm; florets 4. Glumes 1–3, ovate, white ciliate or glabrous; lemma 1.1–1.7 cm, ciliate or glabrous; palea 11–15 cm, uppermost one rounded. Filament tube ca. 1.5 cm; anthers 4–7 mm. Ovary narrowly ovoid; style ca. 1 cm; stigmas 1, ca. 9 mm. Caryopsis unknown.

* Riversides, valleys; 1200–1400 m. S Yunnan.

This imperfectly understood species is known only from its type gathering. It may represent one of many little-known, cultivated Gigantochloa species of S Yunnan, or it may perhaps have become extinct in the wild.