Micropyrum

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 20–57.5–100 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; bilateral. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–9 fertile florets (1), or 10–14 fertile florets, or 15–16 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–11.5–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 0.7–0.825–1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume oblong; 0.7–0.875–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface smooth (1), or scaberulous (1); unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex obtuse; muticous, or awned (1); 1 -awned (1/1). Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa (1), or Temperate Asia (1).

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