Allolepis

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms geniculately ascending; 25–65 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Dioecious. Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; appressed, or ascending; paucilateral. Rhachis angular.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 8–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 10–20 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.9 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 3–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma ovate; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute. Palea tightly convolute around flower; 0.9 length of lemma; coriaceous; 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

MALE Male inflorescence similar to female; of racemes along a central axis. Male spikelets similar to female but less developed; lanceolate. Male spikelet glumes 2. Male spikelet lemma muticous.

DISTRIBUTION North America.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.