Cottea

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–70 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 7–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7–13 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface without pits; hispidulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 7–13 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface hispidulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 9–13 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; villous. Lemma apex lobed; 9–13 -fid; incised 0.25–0.5 of lemma length; awned; 7–11 -awned. Lateral lemma awns of irregular length. Palea 1.1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong.

CLEISTOGENES AND VIVIPARY Cleistogenes present; in lower sheaths.

DISTRIBUTION North America, or South America.

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