New! - Search other data sources for Parapholis

Help - Wrong Description?

Kew Data Sources

Kew's Herbarium Catalogue
ePIC - Electronic Plant Information Centre

External Data Sources

Note - this takes you off of our website
Use your browser's back button to return to this page

GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora

Descriptions

W.D. Clayton, M. Vorontsova, K.T. Harman & H. Williamson

© Copyright The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Parapholis

HABIT Annual (5), or perennial (1). Culms erect (4), or geniculately ascending (4); slender (1/1); 2–18.91–40 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades firm (5), or flaccid (1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; subtended by an unspecialized leaf-sheath (4), or an inflated leaf-sheath (2); exserted (4), or embraced at base by subtending leaf (2).

Racemes single; bilateral; bearing 5–9 fertile spikelets on each (1/3), or 10 fertile spikelets on each (2/3), or 11–14 fertile spikelets on each (1/3), or 15–20 fertile spikelets on each (2/3), or 21–30 fertile spikelets on each (1/3). Rhachis fragile at the nodes; subcylindrical and excavated. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; contiguous (1), or lax (5). Rhachis internodes oblong. Rhachis internode tip transverse.

Spikelets sunken; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–5.416–9 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate (5), or oblong (1), or ovate (1); 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels (4), or 1-keeled (2); wingless (4), or winged on keel (2); 3 -veined, or 4 -veined (5), or 5 -veined (4). Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (3), or acuminate (3). Upper glume lanceolate (5), or oblong (1), or ovate (1); 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels (4), or 1-keeled (2); wingless (4), or winged on keel (2); 3 -veined, or 4 -veined (5), or 5 -veined (4). Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute (3), or acuminate (3).

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic (1), or oblong (4), or ovate (2); membranous; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins less than two thirds length of lemma (2/2). Lemma surface smooth (5), or scaberulous (1); unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex obtuse (1/5), or acute (4/5). Palea 1 length of lemma.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (5/5). Hilum elliptic (5/5).

DISTRIBUTION Europe (5), or Africa (4), or Temperate Asia (5), or Tropical Asia (1), or Australasia (2), or North America (1), or South America (1).

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