Hemisorghum

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 76–103–130 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane (1), or a fringe of hairs (1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle with branches tipped by a raceme.

Panicle open. Primary panicle branches whorled at most nodes.

Racemes bearing few fertile spikelets; 3–7 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; angular (1), or subterete (1). Rhachis internodes filiform.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels filiform.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; separately deciduous. Companion sterile spikelet glumes muticous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 3.5–4.662–6 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus pubescent; base obtuse; attached transversely.

GLUMES Glumes firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; coriaceous; 2-keeled. Lower glume intercarinal veins absent (1), or distinct (1). Lower glume surface flat; without pits; glabrous, or pilose (1). Lower glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; membranous; 2 -veined. Fertile lemma elliptic; hyaline; without keel; wingless; 1 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex entire (1), or dentate; 2 -fid; muticous (1), or awned (1); 1 -awned (1/1). Principal lemma awn from a sinus (1/1); flexuous (1/1). Palea present (1), or absent or minute (1); 1 length of lemma; hyaline (1/1); 0 -veined (1/1); without keels (1/1).

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy.

DISTRIBUTION Tropical Asia.

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