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.

Phippsia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (2), or elongated (1). Culms decumbent (2/2); 2–7.833–25 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf (1).

Panicle open (1), or contracted (2).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 1–1.783–2.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure (1), or two; deciduous (2/2); shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate (1), or ovate (2); 0–0.6167–1 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse (2), or acute (1). Upper glume lanceolate (1), or ovate (2); 0.2–0.25–0.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 0 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse (2), or acute (1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate (2), or obovate (1); hyaline (2), or membranous (1); of similar consistency above (2), or much thinner above (1); keeled; wingless; 1 -veined (1), or 2 -veined (2), or 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure (2/2); less than two thirds length of lemma. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (1), or hispidulous (2). Lemma apex entire (1), or erose (2); truncate (1), or obtuse (1), or acute (1). Palea 0.9–0.95–1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels eciliate (2), or ciliolate (1).

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (1/1); acute (1/1). Anthers 1–2 (1/2).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (1/2), or ovoid (1/2). Hilum elliptic (2/2).

DISTRIBUTION Europe (2), or Temperate Asia (2), or North America (1), or South America (1).

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