Cleistachne

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 60–250 cm long; with prop roots. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 3–6 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus pubescent; base obtuse; attached transversely.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; coriaceous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits; pilose. Upper glume ovate; without keels. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex truncate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; hyaline; 2 -veined. Fertile lemma oblong; hyaline; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; bigeniculate. Palea hyaline; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; ciliate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia.

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