Molinia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (1), or short (1). Culms erect; 15–71.25–120 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open, or contracted (1).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets (1), or 2–4 fertile florets, or 5–6 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate, or elliptic (1), or oblong (1); laterally compressed; 4–9–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus glabrous (1), or bearded (1); truncate (1), or obtuse (1).

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate (1), or ovate; 0.6–0.8375–1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels (1), or 1-keeled (1); 0–1 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (1). Lower glume lateral veins absent (1), or distinct (1). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate (1), or ovate; 0.66–0.6825–0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels (1), or 1-keeled (1); 1–2 -veined (1), or 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate (1), or ovate; lanceolate in profile (1/1), or oblong in profile (1/1); membranous; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined, or 4–5 -veined (1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex obtuse (1), or acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels smooth (1), or scaberulous (1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with tardily free pericarp (1/1); obovoid (1/1). Embryo 0.33 length of caryopsis. Hilum linear (1/1); 1 length of caryopsis.

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

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