Cynodon

HABIT Annual (1), or perennial (8). Rhizomes absent (6), or elongated (3). Stolons present. Culms geniculately ascending (7), or decumbent (1), or prostrate (1); slender (1/1); 4–37.16–100 cm long; firm (8), or woody (1); rooting from lower nodes (1/1). Lateral branches ample (1/1). Ligule an eciliate membrane (2), or a ciliolate membrane (7). Leaf-blades filiform (1), or linear (8), or lanceolate (2); stiff (3), or firm (7).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes digitate; erect (1), or ascending (6), or spreading (1), or drooping (1); unilateral. Rhachis wingless (6), or narrowly winged (3); flattened (8/8). Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong (1), or ovate (8); laterally compressed; 1.8–2.504–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent (8), or deciduous (1); shorter than spikelet (8), or reaching apex of florets (1); thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate (7), or oblong (1), or ovate (1); 0.5–0.8194–1 length of upper glume; membranous (3), or herbaceous (6); 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (8), or acuminate (1). Upper glume lanceolate (7), or oblong (1), or ovate (1); 0.1–0.5861–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous (3), or herbaceous (6); 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute (8), or acuminate (1); muticous, or mucronate (1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate (1), or ovate; laterally compressed; membranous (1), or cartilaginous; keeled; wingless (8), or winged on keel (1); 1 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (8). Lemma midvein eciliate (2), or ciliolate (1), or ciliate (4), or pubescent (5). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (7), or pubescent (2), or hispidulous (1); hairy on back (1/3), or on veins (2/3); with simple hairs (2/3), or clavate hairs (2/3). Lemma margins eciliate (8), or ciliolate (1). Lemma apex obtuse (1), or acute (8). Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels smooth (8), or scaberulous (2); eciliate (7), or ciliolate (1), or ciliate (1). Palea apex dentate (1/1).

FLOWER Anthers 3 (3/3).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (8/8); ellipsoid (1/1); laterally compressed (2/2); trigonous (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Europe (1), or Africa (8), or Temperate Asia (4), or Tropical Asia (4), or Australasia (6), or Pacific (3), or North America (3), or South America (4), or Antarctica (1).

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