Dactylis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 15–140 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or cuneate; laterally compressed; 5–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma obovate; laterally compressed; lanceolate in profile, or oblong in profile; herbaceous; much thinner on margins; keeled; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein pectinately ciliate. Lemma lateral veins extending close to apex. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia, or Australasia, or Pacific, or North America, or South America, or Antarctica.

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