Narduroides

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 20–40 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; unilateral. Rhachis subcylindrical and excavated. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; distant; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets sunken; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.2–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; shorter than spikelet; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 0.8 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 1–5 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex emarginate. Upper glume oblong; 0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex emarginate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex entire, or dentate; 2 -fid; emarginate; muticous, or mucronate.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa, or Temperate Asia.

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