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Descriptions

W.D. Clayton, M. Vorontsova, K.T. Harman & H. Williamson

© Copyright The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Microchloa

HABIT Annual (2), or perennial (4). Culms erect; 5–29.25–70 cm long; firm (2), or wiry (4). Lateral branches sparse (1/1). Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform (4), or linear (5), or lanceolate (1). Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous (2/2).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; unilateral. Rhachis semiterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; 1 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed (4), or ascending (1), or pectinate (1); solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension (4), or with diminished florets at the apex (2). Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 1.7–3.467–5.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 1 length of upper glume; membranous (5), or coriaceous (1); 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse (2), or acute (5). Upper glume elliptic; 1.2–1.233–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous (5), or coriaceous (1); without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or woolly (1). Upper glume apex obtuse (2), or acute (4).

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic (5), or ovate (1); hyaline (5), or membranous (1); keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein eciliate (5), or ciliate (1), or pubescent (1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex entire, or dentate (1); 2 -fid (1/1); obtuse (5), or acute (1). Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets 1 in number (2/2); male (2/2), or barren (1/2); lanceolate (1/2), or oblong (1/2).

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (4/4).

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or Temperate Asia (2), or Tropical Asia (2), or Australasia (1), or North America (1), or South America (2).

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