The species of the genus Axonopus (Poaceae: Panicoideae: Paspaleae) from Colombia

Abstract

 Axonopus is an American genus with about 71 species, mainly distributed in northern South America, with some species apparently introduced to the Old World. A morphological and taxonomic treatment of the species in Colombia is provided, including synonyms, descriptions, illustrations, ecological and geographic distribution, common names, uses, comments on particular morphological features, and morphological relationships of the species. The morphological and phylogenetic relationships with Digitaria, Mesosetum, Paspalum, Spheneria, and Streptostachys are discussed. A new name for Axonopus sect. Cabrera is proposed. Two names are synonymized: Axonopus piccae (= Axonopus scoparius) and Axonopus poiophyllus (= Axonopus compressus). The identity of the vouchers J. Cuatrecasas 3882 (US-1797918) and J. Cuatrecasas 3882 (US-2780372) is discussed. Four species are excluded from the Colombian flora (Axonopus laxiflorus, Axonopus longispicus, Axonopus pubivaginatus, and Axonopus senescens). Thus, a total of 19 species of this genus are currently known in Colombia, of which three are endemic (Axonopus orinocensis, Axonopus morronei, and Axonopus zuloagae).