Nardus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 25–60 cm long; wiry. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; coriaceous; stiff.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; unilateral. Rhachis semiterete; terminating in a barren extension; extension bristle-like. Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 5–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes one the upper absent or obscure; persistent. Lower glume ovate. Lower glume surface without pits.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; coriaceous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface scaberulous; unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea surface pubescent.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3. Stigmas 1; papillose.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Embryo 0.15 length of caryopsis. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Australasia, or North America, or South America.

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