Neurachne

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (1), or short (6). Culms erect, or geniculately ascending (1), or decumbent (2); 13–33.07–75 cm long; rooting from lower nodes (1/1). Lateral branches ample (1/1). Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades aciculate (1), or filiform (3), or linear (4), or triangular (1); stiff. Leaf-blade midrib indistinct (6/6).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong (6/6); tip discoid (6/6).

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets absent, or well-developed (1).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate (6), or elliptic (1), or ovate (2); dorsally compressed; 4.98–8.29–12 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus pilose (1), or bearded (6); base obtuse (6/6); attached transversely (3/5), or attached obliquely (2/5).

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate (6), or ovate (1); chartaceous (4), or cartilaginous (4); without keels; 3 -veined (2), or 4 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (6), or 6–7 -veined (1). Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface convex (6), or flat (1), or concave (1); smooth (6), or scabrous (1); without pits; glabrous (2), or puberulous (1), or pilose (3), or setose (3). Lower glume apex truncate (1), or acuminate (6); muticous (5), or mucronate (2), or awned (2). Upper glume lanceolate (5), or elliptic (2); chartaceous (3), or cartilaginous (5), or coriaceous (1); with undifferentiated margins (1), or membranous margins (6); 5–6 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (4), or 9 -veined (2), or 10 -veined (1), or 11 -veined (2), or 12–13 -veined (1). Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface glabrous (1), or puberulous (1), or pubescent (1), or pilose (2), or setose (4); without hair tufts (6), or with marginal tufts of hair (1). Upper glume apex acuminate; muticous (4), or mucronate (1), or awned (3); 1 -awned (3/3).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male (1), or barren (6); with palea (1), or without significant palea (6). Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate (4), or elliptic (5), or oblong (1); membranous (3), or chartaceous (4); 3 -veined (1), or 6 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (6); truncate (2), or acute (5). Palea of lower sterile floret membranous (1/1). Fertile lemma lanceolate (4), or elliptic (3), or ovate (1); hyaline (6), or membranous (1); without keel; wingless; 3 -veined (2/3), or 5 -veined (1/3). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous, or puberulous (1). Lemma margins eciliate (6), or pubescent (1). Lemma apex truncate (1), or obtuse (1), or acute (6). Palea 1.1 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined (2/2); without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (1/1); fleshy (1/1). Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

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