Pharus

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect (4/6), or decumbent (2/6), or rambling (1/6); 30–74.28–100 cm long; rooting from lower nodes (2/2). Lateral branches lacking (6/6). Ligule an eciliate membrane (4), or a ciliolate membrane (2), or a ciliate membrane (1). Leaf-blade base with a false petiole. Leaf-blades elliptic (6), or oblong (1). Leaf-blade venation slanting obliquely from midrib; with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open. Panicle axis bearing deciduous branches.

Sexes mixed. Spikelets appressed (6), or ascending (1), or spreading (1); in pairs, or in threes (1). Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster, or 2 in the cluster (1). Male spikelets pedicelled; 1 in a cluster. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear (5), or elliptic (2); subterete; 8–13.57–23 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear (1), or lanceolate (4), or elliptic (1), or ovate (1); 0.8–0.85–0.9 length of upper glume; scarious; without keels; 3 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (3), or 6 -veined (2), or 7 -veined (4), or 8–9 -veined (1). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate (5), or elliptic (1), or ovate (1); 0.25–0.5914–0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; scarious; without keels; 5 -veined (4), or 6 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (4). Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma linear (5), or elliptic (2); subterete; cartilaginous (1), or coriaceous (6); without keel; wingless; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pubescent; with hooked hairs. Lemma margins involute; interlocking with palea keels. Lemma apex acute; without appendage (1), or with a conical beak (6). Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 6. Stigmas 3; plumose (1), or pubescent (6).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear (1), or oblong (6); isodiametric (1/1).

MALE Male spikelets similar to female but less developed; lanceolate (6), or ovate (1). Male spikelet glumes 2; muticous (1/1). Male spikelet lemma muticous (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION North America (4), or South America.

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