Boissiera

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or decumbent; 5–15 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 10–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of upper glume; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.5–0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; chartaceous; much thinner above; without keel; wingless; 9 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous, or pilose. Lemma apex erose; obtuse; awned; 5–9 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; curved. Lateral lemma awns shorter than principal. Apical sterile florets 3–6 in number; barren; in a clump; oblong. Apical sterile lemmas awned.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary with a fleshy appendage above style insertion; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong. Embryo 0.33 length of caryopsis. Hilum linear; 1 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia.

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