Melocanna

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated; pachymorph. Culms erect; 240–922.5–2000 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Culm-nodes flush with internodes (1/1). Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement several (1), or many (1); with subequal branches (1/1). Culm-sheaths persistent (1), or deciduous (1); without auricles. Culm-sheath blade linear. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate. Leaf-blade venation without cross veins (1), or with distinct cross veins (1).

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous (1/1); clustered at the nodes (1/1); in oblong clusters (1/1); with spathaceous subtending bracts (1/1); with axillary buds at base of spikelet (1/1); leafless between clusters (1/1).

Fertile spikelets sessile (1/1).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets (1/1); with a barren rhachilla extension (1/1). Spikelets lanceolate (1/1); laterally compressed (1/1); 12.45–15.22–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity (1/1); disarticulating below each fertile floret (1/1). Rhachilla internodes definite (1/1).

GLUMES Glumes persistent (1/1); shorter than spikelet (1/1). Lower glume surface without pits (1/1). Upper glume lanceolate (1/1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate (1/1); chartaceous (1/1); without keel (1/1); wingless (1/1); 5–9 -veined (1/1). Lemma surface unwrinkled (1/1); without grooves (1/1). Lemma apex rostrate (1/1); mucronate (1/1). Palea without keels (1/1).

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (1/1); ciliate (1/1). Anthers 5–7 (1/1). Stigmas 2–4 (1/1). Ovary with a steeple-like appendage (1/1); glabrous (1/1).

FRUIT Caryopsis with fleshy pericarp (1/1); ovoid (1/1); isodiametric (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Temperate Asia (1), or Tropical Asia.

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