Tricholaena

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect (1), or geniculately ascending (2), or decumbent (2); 10–45.25–120 cm long; firm (3), or wiry (1); rooting from lower nodes (1/1). Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades stiff (2), or firm (3).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted (3), or embraced at base by subtending leaf (1).

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform (2/2).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 1.5–2.475–3.5 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes brief up to lowest fertile floret (2), or elongated between glumes (2).

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate; hyaline; without keels; 0 -veined, or 1 -veined (2). Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits; glabrous (2), or pilose (3). Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume ovate; membranous; without keels; 3–4 -veined (3), or 5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous (2), or pilose (3); with simple hairs (2/3), or tubercle-based hairs (1/3). Upper glume apex emarginate (2), or truncate (3), or obtuse (2), or acute (2); muticous (1), or mucronate (3).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; membranous; 5 -veined, or 6–7 -veined (3); emarginate (2), or truncate (3), or obtuse (2), or acute (1); muticous (1), or mucronate (3). Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; cartilaginous; without keel; wingless; 3–5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute. Palea cartilaginous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Europe (1), or Africa, or Temperate Asia (1), or Tropical Asia (2).

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