Heterachne

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending (1), or decumbent (1); slender (1/1); 10–21–36 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform (1), or linear (2); stiff (1), or firm (2).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open (1), or spiciform (2).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile (1), or pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets, or 2 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong (1), or ovate (2), or orbicular (2); laterally compressed; 2–4–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret (2), or above glumes but not between florets (1). Rhachilla internodes definite (1/1).

GLUMES Glumes persistent (1), or deciduous (2); shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate (1), or ovate; 0.6–0.7683–1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse (1), or acute. Upper glume lanceolate (1), or ovate; 0.6–0.7333–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (2). Upper glume apex obtuse (1), or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong (1), or ovate (2); membranous (2), or cartilaginous (1); keeled; winged on keel; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein without distinctive roughness (2), or scaberulous (1); eciliate (2), or ciliolate (1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins eciliate (2), or ciliolate (1). Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 0.66–0.72–0.75 length of lemma. Palea keels winged; eciliate (1), or ciliolate (2). Apical sterile florets 1 in number (1), or 2–3 in number (2), or 4–22 in number (1); barren; separate (1), or in a clump (2); oblong.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (2/2).

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

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