Symplectrodia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (1), or short (1). Culms 75–163.7–300 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 11–13.5–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.8–0.85–0.9 length of upper glume; cartilaginous; without keels; 1–2 -veined (1), or 3 -veined, or 4–5 -veined (1). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex attenuate, or setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1–1.175–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; cartilaginous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate, or setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; cartilaginous; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein eciliate (1), or ciliate. Lemma surface smooth (1), or asperulous (1); unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins eciliate (1), or ciliate. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Palea 0.8–0.9–1 length of lemma; cartilaginous; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets 2–3 in number (1), or 4–5 in number; barren; in a clump; lanceolate. Apical sterile lemmas awned.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with tardily free pericarp; linear. Embryo 0.25 length of caryopsis. Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

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