Heteropholis

HABIT Annual (4), or perennial (2). Rhizomes absent (5), or short (1). Culms erect (1/2), or decumbent (1/2); robust (1/1); 20–77.5–200 cm long; with prop roots (1/2), or rooting from lower nodes (1/2). Lateral branches lacking (1/3), or sparse (2/3), or ample (1/3). Ligule an eciliate membrane (4), or a ciliate membrane (2). Leaf-blades linear (4), or lanceolate (2).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal (4), or terminal and axillary (4); subtended by an unspecialized leaf-sheath (4), or an inflated leaf-sheath (2); exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf (2). Peduncle widened at apex (4/4).

Racemes single; unilateral; bearing 5 fertile spikelets on each (1/3), or 6–10 fertile spikelets on each (2/3), or 12–20 fertile spikelets on each (1/3). Rhachis fragile at the nodes; flattened (1), or semiterete (3), or subcylindrical and excavated (2). Rhachis internodes columnar (2), or oblong (1), or cuneate (3); unspecialized (5), or adherent to upper glume of sessile spikelet (1). Rhachis internode tip transverse; crateriform.

Spikelets sunken (5), or appressed (1); in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels fused to internode; linear (2), or oblong (4); tip rectangular.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets represented by single glumes (2), or well-developed (4); persistent (1/5), or separately deciduous (4/5).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic (1), or oblong (2), or ovate (2), or obovate (1); dorsally compressed; 1.826–3.568–5.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus brief (5), or cuneate (1); glabrous (3/4), or bearded (1/4); base truncate; with central boss (1), or with central peg (5); attached transversely.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic (2), or oblong (1), or ovate (2), or obovate (1); coriaceous (3), or indurate (3); 2-keeled; wingless (2), or winged on keel (4); 5–7 -veined (1/4), or 11 -veined (3/4). Lower glume lateral veins obscure (1), or distinct (5). Lower glume surface smooth (2), or rugose (1), or cancellate (1), or areolate (2); without pits; glabrous (4), or pubescent (1), or pilose (1). Lower glume apex emarginate (1/3), or truncate (1/3), or obtuse (2/3). Upper glume oblong (4), or ovate (2); membranous (5), or indurate (1); without keels (4), or 1-keeled (2); 3 -veined (2/3), or 5 -veined (1/3). Upper glume apex obtuse (1), or acute (5).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male (1), or barren (5); with palea (1), or without significant palea (5). Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic (2), or oblong (4), or ovate (1); hyaline; 2 -veined (1/1); obtuse (1/1). Fertile lemma elliptic (1), or oblong (4), or ovate (1); hyaline; without keel; wingless; 2 -veined (2/2), or 3 -veined (1/2). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 0 -veined (1/1); without keels (1), or 2-keeled (5).

FLOWER Anthers 3 (4/4).

DISTRIBUTION Africa (2), or Tropical Asia (2), or Australasia (3).

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