Nephelochloa

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 13–25 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open. Primary panicle branches whorled at most nodes; sterile at lowest node.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2–5.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite; pubescent. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; lanceolate in profile; membranous; much thinner above; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.2 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus. Palea 0.66 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 2. Ovary glabrous.

DISTRIBUTION Temperate Asia.

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