Catapodium

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending, or decumbent (1); 2–17–40 cm long. Lateral branches lacking (1/1), or sparse (1/1). Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle (2), or composed of racemes.

Panicle open (1/2), or contracted (1/2), or spiciform (1/2).

Racemes single, or borne along a central axis (1); unilateral. Rhachis angular (2/2). Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; 2 -rowed (1/1).

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile (2), or pedicelled (2). Pedicels oblong (1/2), or cuneate (1/2).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets (1), or 3 fertile florets (3), or 4–5 fertile florets, or 6–7 fertile florets (3), or 8–10 fertile florets (2), or 11–12 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong (3), or obovate (1), or cuneate (1); laterally compressed; 4–6.768–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite; glabrous (3), or pilose (1).

GLUMES Glumes distichous (3), or oblique (1); persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume linear (1), or lanceolate (3); 0.9–0.9375–1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels (2), or 1-keeled (2); 1–2 -veined (2), or 3 -veined (3), or 5 -veined (1). Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (3), or setaceously attenuate (1). Upper glume lanceolate (2), or elliptic (1), or ovate (1); 0.75–0.8625–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; with undifferentiated margins (3), or scarious margins (1); without keels (2), or 1-keeled (2); 3 -veined (3), or 7 -veined (1). Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate (1), or elliptic (2), or oblong (1); elliptic in profile (1/2), or oblong in profile (1/2); coriaceous; without keel (3), or keeled (1); wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure (1/1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (3), or hirsute (1). Lemma apex emarginate (1), or obtuse (3); muticous, or mucronate (1). Palea 0.9–0.975–1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels smooth (1), or scaberulous (3). Palea surface glabrous (3), or pubescent (1). Palea apex dentate (1/1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (2/2). Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (2/2); concavo-convex (1/1). Embryo 0.2–0.2167–0.25 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform (2), or elliptic (2).

DISTRIBUTION Europe (2), or Africa, or Temperate Asia (2), or Australasia (2), or North America (1), or South America (1).

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