Eremocaulon

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (1), or short (1), or elongated (2); pachymorph (3/3). Culms erect (2), or leaning (1), or scandent (1); 300–962.5–2000 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Culm-nodes without obvious supra-nodal ridge (1/1). Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement three (2), or several (3), or many (1); in a clump (3/3); at the node (3), or subtended by a bare patch above the node (1); with 1 branch dominant (3/3). Culm-sheaths persistent (3/3); without auricles (1/3), or auriculate (3/3). Culm-sheath blade linear (1/3), or lanceolate (1/3), or triangular (1/3). Leaf-sheath auricles absent (1), or erect (1), or falcate (2). Ligule an eciliate membrane (3), or a ciliolate membrane (1). Leaf-blade base without a false petiole (2), or with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath (2). Leaf-blades persistent (1), or deciduous at the ligule (3); linear (1), or lanceolate. Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous (1/1). Leaf-blade venation without cross veins (3), or with distinct cross veins (1).

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; scanty (2), or globose (1), or clustered at the nodes (1); in stellate clusters (1/1); with glumaceous subtending bracts; without axillary buds at base of spikelet (2), or with axillary buds at base of spikelet (2).

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets (1), or 3 fertile florets, or 4 fertile florets (3), or 5–11 fertile florets (2); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear (2), or lanceolate (1), or ovate (1); laterally compressed (3), or subterete (1); 10–67.62–200 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite; glabrous (2), or pubescent (1), or pilose (1).

GLUMES Glumes two (1), or several (3); persistent; shorter than spikelet (2/2); similar to fertile lemma in texture (1), or firmer than fertile lemma (3). Lower glume ovate (1/1); 11 -veined (1/1). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (1/1). Upper glume lanceolate (2), or ovate (2); coriaceous (3/3); without keels (3/3); 5–9 -veined (1), or 10 -veined (2), or 11 -veined (3), or 12 -veined (2), or 13–20 -veined (1), or 24–26 -veined (1). Upper glume surface glabrous (3), or pubescent (1). Upper glume apex obtuse (2/3), or acute (1/3); muticous (3), or mucronate (1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; chartaceous (3), or coriaceous (1); without keel; wingless; 10–12 -veined (1), or 13 -veined (2), or 14–17 -veined (1), or 24–29 -veined (1), or 34–35 -veined (1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (3), or pubescent (1). Lemma margins eciliate (2), or ciliolate (1), or ciliate (1). Lemma apex obtuse (1/3), or acute (2/3); muticous (3), or mucronate (1). Palea 1 length of lemma; membranous (1), or chartaceous (3); 11–13 -veined (1/3), or 14–15 -veined (3/3), or 16–18 -veined (2/3). Palea keels wingless (2), or winged (2); eciliate (2), or ciliate (2). Palea surface glabrous (3), or pilose (1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped (3), or distinct from fertile (1); 1 in number (1/1); rudimentary (1/1).

FLOWER Lodicules 3; glabrous (1), or ciliate (3). Anthers 6. Stigmas 2 (3), or 3 (2). Ovary glabrous (1/3), or pubescent on apex (2/3).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (1/1). Hilum linear (1/1); 1 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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