Kalinia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–60 cm long; wiry. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades stiff. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–12 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 7–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.6 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 ovate; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins distinct. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex erose; obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America.

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