Nianhochloa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms leaning; 300–800 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement three, or several; in a clump; with subequal branches. Culm-sheaths deciduous. Culm-sheath blade triangular. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades oblong.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 10–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes several; persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume surface without pits. Upper glume ovate. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex acuminate; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; without keel; wingless; 9–10 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex mucronate. Palea 1 length of lemma; hyaline; 9–10 -veined. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; rudimentary.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 6. Stigmas 3. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; apex rostrate.

DISTRIBUTION Tropical Asia.

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