Zizania

HABIT Annual (3), or perennial (2). Stolons absent (3), or present (2). Culms erect (1/2), or decumbent (1/2); reed-like (2/2); 90–163.7–300 cm long; spongy; rooting from lower nodes (1/1). Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades herbaceous (3), or coriaceous (1). Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous (1/1).

INFLORESCENCE Monoecious; with male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence. Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Sexes segregated; on unisexual branches; with male below. Spikelets appressed (1/1); solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Male spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate (3), or oblong (1); laterally compressed; 8–16.73–33 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma linear (1), or lanceolate (2), or oblong (2); chartaceous (3), or coriaceous (1); without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface smooth (3), or scaberulous (2); unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins flat (1), or interlocking with palea margins (3). Lemma apex acute (1), or acuminate (3); awned; 1 -awned. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (3); without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 6.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear (3/3).

MALE Male spikelets distinct from female; linear (3/3). Male spikelet glumes absent. Male spikelet lemma muticous (3), or awned (2).

DISTRIBUTION Europe (2), or Temperate Asia (2), or Tropical Asia (1), or Australasia (1), or Pacific (1), or North America (3).

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