Triplasis

HABIT Annual (1), or perennial (1). Culms erect (1), or geniculately ascending (1); 30–56.25–75 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blade midrib indistinct (1/1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; 6–8.575–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite; glabrous (1), or pubescent (1). Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume linear; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex entire (1), or dentate (1); 2 -fid (1/1); acute (1/1). Upper glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex entire (1), or dentate (1); 2 -fid (1/1); acute (1/1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex dentate (1), or lobed (1); 2 -fid; incised 0.5 of lemma length; mucronate (1), or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; limb pubescent. Palea 0.75 length of lemma. Palea keels pubescent, or with a crest of hairs.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; laterally compressed; plano-convex.

CLEISTOGENES AND VIVIPARY Cleistogenes present; in lower sheaths.

DISTRIBUTION North America, or South America (1).

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