Euclasta

HABIT Annual. Culms prostrate; 10–67.5–200 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Ligule a ciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single (1), or digitate (1); ascending (1), or drooping (1). Rhachis fragile at the nodes; flattened. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip transverse. Raceme-bases brief (1), or filiform (1); unequal (the longer measured) (1/1).

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels linear; with a translucent median line (also present in internodes).

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets well-developed.

Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; separately deciduous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 3–3.625–4 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus pilose; base obtuse; attached transversely.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; chartaceous (1), or coriaceous (1); without keels; wingless (1), or winged on margins (1); 5 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins without ribs (1), or ribbed (1). Lower glume surface flat; without pits; pilose. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; chartaceous (1), or coriaceous (1); 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; hyaline; 0 -veined. Fertile lemma linear; hyaline; without keel; wingless; 1 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Africa (1), or Temperate Asia (1), or Tropical Asia, or North America (1), or South America (1).

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