Cryptochloa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (6), or short (2). Culms erect (1/4), or geniculately ascending (2/4), or decumbent (2/4); 10–42.18–100 cm long; firm (6), or wiry (2); rooting from lower nodes (1/1). Culm-nodes constricted (1/2), or swollen (1/2). Lateral branches ample (1/1). Leaf-sheath auricles absent (6), or erect (3). Ligule an eciliate membrane (5), or a ciliolate membrane (3). Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades linear (1), or lanceolate (4), or elliptic (3), or oblong (4), or ovate (1). Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous (1/1).

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence (6), or with male and female spikelets in different inflorescences (1), or with male terminal and mixed axillary inflorescences (1). Inflorescence a panicle (4), or composed of racemes (2), or comprising only a few spikelets (2); terminal and axillary (4), or axillary (4); embraced at base by subtending leaf (7), or enclosed (1).

Panicle contracted (4/4).

Racemes single (1/2), or paired (1/2); bearing few fertile spikelets (2/2); bearing 2 fertile spikelets on each (1/2), or 3–4 fertile spikelets on each (2/2).

Sexes segregated (7/7); on unisexual branches (5/5); with male conjugate (1/7), or below (6/7). Spikelets solitary (6), or in threes (2). Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 1–2 in the cluster (1/2). Male spikelets sessile (1), or pedicelled (7); 1–2 in a cluster (2/3). Pedicels filiform (2/7), or linear (1/7), or clavate (6/7), or cuneate (1/7).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate (6), or elliptic (1), or oblong (1); dorsally compressed; 7–11.1–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident (7), or elongated (1).

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; reaching apex of florets (1), or exceeding apex of florets (7); thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear (1), or lanceolate (5), or elliptic (1), or ovate (2); 1–1.018–1.2 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined (2), or 4 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (6), or 6 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (2), or 8–9 -veined (1). Lower glume lateral veins obscure (1), or distinct (7). Lower glume surface smooth (6), or asperulous (1), or scabrous (2); without pits; glabrous (7), or pubescent (1). Lower glume apex acute (2), or acuminate (6); muticous (7), or awned (3). Upper glume linear (1), or lanceolate (5), or elliptic (1), or ovate (2); 1–1.35–1.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (6), or 6 -veined (2), or 7 -veined (3), or 8–9 -veined (1). Upper glume lateral veins with cross-veins (4/4). Upper glume surface smooth (6), or asperulous (1), or scabrous (2); glabrous (7), or pubescent (1). Upper glume apex acute (2), or acuminate (6); muticous (7), or mucronate (1), or awned (3); 1 -awned (3/3).

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma lanceolate (4), or elliptic (1), or ovate (3); indurate; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined (4/4). Lemma surface smooth (7), or papillose (1); unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; without ornament (7), or pubescent (1). Palea not rolled (4), or involute (4); 1 length of lemma; indurate; 2 -veined (3/3), or 3–4 -veined (1/3).

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous (7), or fleshy (1); truncate (1/1). Anthers 2 (1), or 3 (7). Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (5/6), or tardily free pericarp (1/6); fusiform (1/4), or ellipsoid (2/4), or ovoid (2/4); dorsally compressed (2/2). Embryo 0.15–0.1833–0.2 length of caryopsis. Hilum linear (3/3); 1 length of caryopsis.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal (1/1); similar to female (1/1); a panicle (1/1). Male spikelets distinct from female; linear (3/7), or lanceolate (1/7), or elliptic (1/7), or oblong (2/7). Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma muticous (7), or awned (1).

DISTRIBUTION North America (1), or South America.

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