Microbriza

HABIT Perennial. Culms 50–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform, or linear.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; laterally compressed; 1.5–2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret, or above glumes but not between florets. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous; without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma orbicular; indurate; keeled; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous, or tuberculate; unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma; indurate; 2 -veined. Palea surface pilose.

FLOWER Anthers 1.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION South America.

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