Triplachne

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or decumbent; 4–25 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2–2.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; gibbous; ovate in profile; hyaline; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; villous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; geniculate. Lateral lemma awns shorter than principal. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa, or Temperate Asia.

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