Lolium

HABIT Annual (6), or perennial (1). Culms erect, or geniculately ascending (3), or decumbent (4); 14–51.35–104 cm long. Leaf-sheath auricles absent (3), or falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; bilateral; bearing 2 fertile spikelets on each (1/4), or 3–6 fertile spikelets on each (3/4), or 7–12 fertile spikelets on each (4/4), or 13–15 fertile spikelets on each (3/4), or 16–19 fertile spikelets on each (2/4), or 20 fertile spikelets on each (1/4). Rhachis semiterete (6), or subcylindrical and excavated (1). Spikelet packing adaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets sunken (1), or appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets (2), or 4 fertile florets (5), or 5–8 fertile florets, or 9 fertile florets (6), or 10 fertile florets (4), or 11–14 fertile florets (2), or 15 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–14.67–26 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; persistent; shorter than spikelet (5), or reaching apex of florets (5), or exceeding apex of florets (3). Upper glume lanceolate, or oblong (1); coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined (2), or 4 -veined (3), or 5–6 -veined (6), or 7 -veined, or 8–9 -veined (1). Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous (3). Upper glume apex entire, or erose (1); obtuse, or acute (5).

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate (3), or elliptic (1), or oblong (3), or ovate (2); coriaceous; of similar consistency above (4), or much thinner above (3); without keel; wingless; 1–2 -veined (1), or 3–4 -veined (4), or 5 -veined, or 6–7 -veined (2), or 8–9 -veined (1). Lemma surface smooth, or scaberulous (1); unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous, or puberulous (1). Lemma apex entire (3), or erose (4), or dentate (1); 2 -fid (1/1); obtuse (6), or acute (2), or acuminate (1), or attenuate (1); muticous (4), or awned (6); 1 -awned (6/6). Principal lemma awn apical (2/6), or subapical (4/6); straight (5/6), or flexuous (1/6). Palea 1–1.033–1.1 length of lemma. Palea keels smooth (1), or scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (3/3); membranous (3/3). Anthers 3 (4/4). Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (4/4); linear (1/4), or fusiform (1/4), or ellipsoid (1/4), or oblong (1/4), or ovoid (1/4). Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe (6), or Africa, or Temperate Asia (6), or Tropical Asia (5), or Australasia (5), or Pacific (3), or North America (4), or South America (5), or Antarctica (4).

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