Psilurus

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 20–40 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; unilateral. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; subcylindrical and excavated. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; distant.

Spikelets sunken; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; 3.5–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; lateral; persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 0.1–0.25 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; coriaceous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 1.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; lanceolate. Hilum linear; 0.33–0.66 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia, or Australasia.

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