Cyperochloa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 7–47 cm long; wiry. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle, or comprising only a few spikelets; subtended by sheathless blades; embraced at base by subtending leaf. Peduncle brief, the infloresence subsessile.

Panicle capitate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 7–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.9–1 length of upper glume; membranous, or cartilaginous; without keels, or 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface smooth, or asperulous; without pits; pubescent, or pilose. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.6–0.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous, or cartilaginous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous; pubescent, or pilose. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; membranous, or cartilaginous; keeled; wingless; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous, or papillose; unwrinkled; without grooves; pilose. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 0.75–1 length of lemma. Palea keels thickened; ciliolate. Palea surface pilose. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; glabrous, or ciliate. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; isodiametric; granular. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

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