Diandrolyra

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (2), or short (1). Culms erect, or geniculately ascending (1); 8.5–24.58–50 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane (2), or absent (1). Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades linear (1), or lanceolate (2), or elliptic (1). Leaf-blade midrib evident (1/1). Leaf-blade venation without cross veins (2), or with obscure cross veins (1).

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Synflorescence on the same culm as leaves (1), or on a specialized culm bearing a single leaf-blade. Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; unilateral; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 2–8 fertile spikelets on each (1). Rhachis flattened.

Sexes mixed. Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Male spikelets sessile; 1 in a cluster. Pedicels oblong (2/2).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic (2), or ovate (2); dorsally compressed; 4.8–5.713–7.2 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus brief (1), or square (2); pubescent (1/1).

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets (1), or exceeding apex of florets (2); thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; herbaceous; without keels; 5–6 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (2), or 9 -veined (1). Lower glume surface without pits; glabrous (2), or pubescent (1). Lower glume apex acute (1/2), or acuminate (1/2). Upper glume ovate; 1–1.133–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; with undifferentiated margins (2), or membranous margins (1); without keels; 5–6 -veined (1), or 7 -veined, or 8–9 -veined (1). Upper glume lateral veins with cross-veins (2/2). Upper glume surface glabrous (2), or pubescent (1). Upper glume apex acute (1/2), or acuminate (1/2).

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma elliptic (1), or ovate; indurate; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined (2/2). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins flat (1), or involute (2). Lemma apex acute; without ornament (2), or scabrous (1). Palea 1 length of lemma; membranous (1), or indurate (2); 2 -veined (2/2).

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (2), or obovoid (1). Hilum linear (2/2); 0.75–0.875–1 length of caryopsis.

MALE Male spikelets distinct from female; lanceolate. Male spikelet glumes absent (2), or 1 (1). Male spikelet lemma muticous.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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