Ixophorus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 50–140 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; unilateral. Rhachis angular; terminating in a barren extension; extension bristle-like. Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets subtended by an involucre. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Involucre composed of bristles. Involucral bristles persistent; flexible.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 3.5–4.7 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; herbaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; without keels; 9–11 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; cartilaginous; 5 -veined; acute. Palea of lower sterile floret becoming indurate on flanks at maturity; winged on keels. Fertile lemma elliptic; indurate; without keel; wingless. Lemma surface papillose; unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex apiculate. Palea indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Pacific, or North America, or South America.

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