Maclurochloa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms scandent; 1520–2060–2600 cm long; woody; without nodal roots. Culm-internodes terete. Culm-nodes swollen (1/1). Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement several (1/1); with 1 branch dominant (1/1). Culm-sheaths auriculate (1/1). Culm-sheath blade triangular (1/1). Leaf-sheath auricles absent (1), or erect (1). Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or oblong (1).

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; clustered at the nodes; in globose clusters (1), or untidy tufts (1); with glumaceous subtending bracts; with axillary buds at base of spikelet; leafless between clusters.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic (1), or ovate (1); laterally compressed; 7.47–12.18–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes several; persistent (1/1); shorter than spikelet (1/1). Lower glume surface without pits. Upper glume ovate (1/1); 18–20 -veined (1/1). Upper glume surface glabrous (1), or pilose (1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate (1), or ovate (1); without keel; wingless; 19–21 -veined (1/1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (1), or pubescent (1). Lemma apex acute (1), or apiculate (1). Palea keels eciliate (1), or ciliolate (1). Palea surface glabrous (1), or pilose (1). Apical sterile florets 1–2 in number (1).

FLOWER Lodicules 3; ciliate. Anthers 6 (1/1). Stigmas 3 (1/1). Ovary unappendaged (1), or umbonate (1); pubescent on apex (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Tropical Asia.

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