Pogonatherum

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect (1), or geniculately ascending (1), or prostrate (2), or rambling (1); 10–37.5–60 cm long; firm (1), or wiry (3). Lateral branches ample (1/3), or fastigiate (2/3). Leaf-sheath auricles absent (3), or erect (1). Ligule an eciliate membrane (1), or a ciliolate membrane (3). Leaf-blades linear (3), or lanceolate (1); stiff (1), or firm (3).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary.

Racemes single. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; subterete. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile and pedicelled; 2 in the cluster; the upper smaller (1/1). Pedicels filiform (1), or linear (3).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic (3), or oblong (1); laterally compressed; 1.3–2.562–3.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous from the base, or with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus pubescent (1), or pilose (1), or bearded (3); base obtuse; attached transversely.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic (2), or oblong (2); 0.8–0.8667–0.9 length of upper glume; cartilaginous; without keels; 3–4 -veined (1/2), or 5 -veined (2/2), or 6–7 -veined (1/2). Lower glume surface smooth (3), or scabrous (1); without pits; glabrous (1), or puberulous (1), or pubescent. Lower glume apex entire (3), or lobed (1); 2 -fid (1/1); truncate (1/3), or obtuse (3/3); muticous (3), or awned (1). Upper glume elliptic (3), or oblong (1); cartilaginous (2/2); 1-keeled (1/1). Upper glume surface smooth (3), or scabrous (1); glabrous (3), or pilose (1). Upper glume apex entire (2), or dentate (2); 2 -fid (2/2); emarginate (2/2); awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male (2), or barren (2); with palea (2), or without significant palea (2). Lemma of lower sterile floret linear (1), or lanceolate (2), or oblong (2); hyaline; 0 -veined; acute (1/1). Fertile lemma lanceolate (1), or oblong (3); hyaline; without keel; wingless; 1 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins eciliate (3), or ciliolate (1). Lemma apex dentate (3), or lobed (1); 2 -fid; incised 0.33–0.415–0.5 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; flexuous (2), or geniculate (2). Palea present (3), or absent or minute (1); 1 length of lemma; hyaline (3/3); without keels (3/3).

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 1 (2), or 2 (3).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (1/1); fusiform (1/1), or oblong (1/1), or ovoid (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa (2), or Temperate Asia (3), or Tropical Asia (3), or Australasia (2), or Pacific (1).

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