Elytrophorus

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 5–32.5–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle glomerate.

Spikelets subtended by an involucre. Fertile spikelets sessile; 3–5 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets sessile; 3–5 in the cluster. Involucre composed of imperfect spikelets.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets represented by single glumes; persistent. Companion sterile spikelet glumes awned.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 2–4.125–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned. Upper glume lanceolate; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; with toothed wings. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 1, or 2. Anthers 1–3. Stigmas 2; sparsely hairy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or Temperate Asia (1), or Tropical Asia (1), or Australasia (1).

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