Abstract
Taquari is the common name of a bamboo that occurs in the cerrado biome of central Brazil where it is subjected to long dry seasons and periodic fires. The buds of the culm are covered by hard scales that protect them during the dry season. The pachymorph rhizomes with short necks form a dense underground system that also aids in carrying the plant through this hostile period. The buds of the upper nodes of the culm begin growing during the wet season and produce horizontal subequal branches that do not rebranch. Those of the lowermost nodes, which occur at ground level or just below, are apparently specialized to break into growth only after fire. Although homologous to the buds of the upper nodes, those at the base of the plant produce tall, erect branches that rebranch and take on the appearance and function of the culms that were destroyed by fire. The spikelet, type of inflorescence, and fruit (achene) indicate that taquari should not be retained in Arundinaria, where originally described, or in Rhipidocladum, where recently transferred, but deserves recognition as a distinct genus, which is here given the name, Actinocladum. Included are complete descriptions of the new genus and its sole species: A. verticillatum (Nees in Martius) McClure ex Soderstrom.
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