Pseudostachyum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated; pachymorph. Culms erect, or leaning; 1500–2000 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Culm-sheaths auriculate. Culm-sheath blade triangular; as wide as sheath at base. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or oblong. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; paniculate; with glumaceous subtending bracts; with axillary buds at base of spikelet.

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 4.15–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes several; persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume surface without pits. Upper glume ovate; chartaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; chartaceous; without keel; wingless. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex acute. Palea tightly convolute around flower; chartaceous. Palea keels ciliate.

FLOWER Lodicules 3, or several; ciliate. Anthers 6. Stigmas 2; pubescent. Ovary with a steeple-like appendage; glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp; orbicular.

DISTRIBUTION Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia.

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