Thysanolaena

HABIT Perennial. Culms 200–400 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; stiff. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary, or in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 1–2 in the cluster. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 1.5–2 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with the pedicel.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate; membranous; 1–3 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma lanceolate; membranous; much thinner on margins; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex acute. Palea 0.5 length of lemma.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 2. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia, or Pacific.

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