Schoenefeldia

HABIT Annual (1), or perennial (1). Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 15–73.75–120 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes digitate; unilateral. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension (1), or with diminished florets at the apex (1). Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 3–4.125–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.6–0.65–0.7 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.2–1.6–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; muticous (1), or awned (1); 1 -awned (1/1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (1), or pilose (1). Lemma margins eciliate (1), or ciliate (1). Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; flexuous. Palea hyaline; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets 1 in number (1/1); barren (1/1); lanceolate (1/1). Apical sterile lemmas awned (1/1).

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with tardily free pericarp; ellipsoid; laterally compressed. Embryo 0.5–0.55–0.6 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or Temperate Asia (1), or Tropical Asia (1).

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