Lithachne

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (3), or short (1). Stolons absent (3), or present (1). Culms erect (1/1), or geniculately ascending (1/1); slender (1/1); 10–25.87–75 cm long; rooting from lower nodes (1/1). Culm-internodes terete (1/1). Culm-nodes constricted (1/1); with distinct supra-nodal ridge (1/1). Ligule an eciliate membrane (2), or a ciliolate membrane (2). Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades linear (1), or lanceolate, or oblong (1), or ovate (1).

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in different inflorescences (3), or with male terminal and mixed axillary inflorescences (1). Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; axillary; exserted (2), or embraced at base by subtending leaf (1), or enclosed (2).

Sexes segregated (1/1); with male below (1/1). Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile (3), or pedicelled (1). Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels cuneate (1/1).

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets absent (3), or represented by a single scale (1).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 4–6.875–11 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; truncate.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous (1), or herbaceous (3); without keels; 5 -veined (1), or 7–8 -veined (1), or 9 -veined (3). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate (2), or caudate (2). Upper glume ovate; 1.3–1.862–2.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous (1), or herbaceous (3); without keels; 3 -veined (1), or 5–6 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (2), or 9 -veined (1). Upper glume apex acuminate (2), or caudate (2).

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma obovate; laterally compressed; gibbous; triangular in profile (3), or hemispherical (1); indurate; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined (1/1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex truncate. Palea indurate.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2 (1/1).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; orbicular (1/1). Hilum linear (1/1); 1 length of caryopsis.

MALE Male inflorescence terminal; unlike female; a panicle (2), or of few spikelets (2). Male spikelets distinct from female; linear (3/3), or lanceolate (3/3). Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma muticous (3), or awned (1).

DISTRIBUTION North America (1), or South America.

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