Castellia

HABIT Annual. Culms decumbent; 50–100 cm long. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single, or borne along a central axis; unilateral. Rhachis semiterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–12 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.6–0.7 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume elliptic; 1–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; with scarious margins; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface tuberculate; unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex obtuse, or acute. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid. Hilum linear; 0.75 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia.

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