Monanthochloe

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms decumbent; 8–11.5–15 cm long; wiry. Culm-internodes alternately elongated and bunched (1/1). Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades aciculate; indurate; stiff. Leaf-blade apex muticous (1), or pungent (1).

INFLORESCENCE Dioecious. Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; terminal and axillary; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets, or 5–6 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 6–9.075–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma elliptic; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 7–8 -veined (1), or 9 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute. Palea tightly convolute around flower; 1 length of lemma; indurate; 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; with entire wings (1), or toothed wings (1).

FRUIT Caryopsis apex bicornate (1/1). Embryo 0.66 length of caryopsis.

MALE Male inflorescence similar to female; of few spikelets. Male spikelets similar to female but less developed; lanceolate. Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma muticous.

DISTRIBUTION North America (1), or South America.

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