Cornucopiae

HABIT Annual. Culms erect (1), or geniculately ascending (1), or decumbent; 6–20.25–47 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; terminal and axillary; deciduous as a whole; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath; exserted (1), or embraced at base by subtending leaf (1). Peduncle expanded into a conical flask at apex; disarticulating.

Panicle capitate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–6.75–7.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes connate along margins below; reaching apex of florets (1), or exceeding apex of florets (1). Lower glume elliptic (1), or oblong (1); 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits; glabrous (1), or pubescent (1). Lower glume apex truncate (1), or acute (1); muticous (1), or mucronate (1). Upper glume elliptic (1), or oblong (1); 1–1.075–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface glabrous (1), or pubescent (1). Upper glume apex truncate (1), or acute (1); muticous (1), or mucronate (1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; membranous; keeled; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins connate below. Lemma apex truncate; muticous (1), or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; straight (1), or geniculate (1). Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid (1/1); laterally compressed (1/1). Embryo 0.33 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe (1), or Temperate Asia.

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