Redfieldia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 50–100 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 5–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75–1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.5–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; chartaceous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex acute, or acuminate; muticous, or mucronate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid.

DISTRIBUTION North America.

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