Sphenopus

HABIT Annual. Culms erect (1), or geniculately ascending (1), or decumbent; 5–18.75–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open, or contracted (1).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels cuneate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–5 fertile florets, or 6 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic (1), or cuneate (1); laterally compressed; 2–3.5–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume orbicular; 0.2–0.325–0.5 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 0.25–0.375–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels (1), or 1-keeled (1); 0–1 -veined. Upper glume apex emarginate (1), or obtuse (1), or acute (1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic (1), or ovate (1); membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (1). Lemma midvein without distinctive roughness (1), or scabrous (1). Lemma lateral veins with distinct primaries but obscure intermediates (1/1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex truncate (1), or obtuse; muticous (1), or mucronate (1). Palea keels smooth (1), or scabrous (1); eciliate (1), or ciliolate (1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear (1), or oblong (1). Embryo 0.2–0.225–0.25 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe (1), or Africa, or Temperate Asia (1), or Australasia (1).

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