Gastridium

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or decumbent; 10–35–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear; tip pyriform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension (1), or with a barren rhachilla extension (1). Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–5.075–7.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; saccate; 1.1–1.3–1.5 length of upper glume; membranous (1), or scarious (1); 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (1), or acuminate (1). Upper glume lanceolate; saccate; 2–2.75–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous (1), or scarious (1); 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate (1), or attenuate (1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong (1), or orbicular (1); cartilaginous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (1), or pubescent. Lemma apex erose; truncate; muticous (1), or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; geniculate. Palea 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Australasia, or Pacific, or North America (1), or South America (1).

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