Myriostachya

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 100–150 cm long. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; in a multilateral false spike; spreading; oblong; unilateral. Rhachis deciduous from axis; subterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–12 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–12 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with the pedicel. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.7–1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.5–0.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute; mucronate. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea apex entire. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; laterally compressed. Embryo 0.4 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Tropical Asia.

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