Chimaerochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 60–90 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Gynodioecious ("male", in this context, indicating the bisexual state). Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus evident; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma oblong; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 7 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; villous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; incised 0.1 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; straight, or curved. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; ciliate. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

MALE Male inflorescence similar to female. Male spikelets resembling female.

DISTRIBUTION Tropical Asia.

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