Griffithsochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or decumbent; 15–40 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; cuneate; bearing a triad of spikelets. Central inflorescence axis tip subulate. Rhachis deciduous from axis; terminating in a barren extension; extension bristle-like. Raceme-bases linear.

Spikelets in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets sessile; 2 in the cluster.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; deciduous with the fertile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 3–4 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 0.6 length of upper glume. Lower glume surface without pits; pilose. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; cartilaginous; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex lobed; 3 -fid; incised 0.33 of lemma length; mucronate. Apical sterile florets 2 in number; barren; in a clump; oblong. Apical sterile lemmas awned.

DISTRIBUTION North America.

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