Jouvea

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms prostrate; 20–30–40 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane (1), or a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades persistent (1), or deciduous at the ligule (1); stiff.

INFLORESCENCE Dioecious. Synflorescence compound; fasciculate. Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; terminal and axillary; subtended by a spatheole; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Spikelets solitary.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets, or 4–5 fertile florets (1); with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; thorn-like; subterete; 15–26.25–40 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus cuneate; base obtuse. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma linear; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins closed except for an apical pore; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid. Palea hyaline; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear.

MALE Male inflorescence unlike female; a single raceme. Male spikelets distinct from female. Male spikelet glumes 1, or 2 (1).

DISTRIBUTION North America, or South America.

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