Mullerochloa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms scandent; 500–700 cm long; woody; without nodal roots. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement several. Culm-sheath blade linear. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; clustered at the nodes; in untidy tufts; with glumaceous subtending bracts; with axillary buds at base of spikelet; leafless between clusters.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; subterete; 5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Lower glume ovate. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; without keel; wingless; 7 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

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