Crypsis minuartioides

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms prostrate; 6–25 cm long. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths 0.5–1 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1–6 cm long; 1–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 5–12 fertile spikelets; subtended by sheathless blades (2–4 blades); embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle capitate; corymbose; 0.7–0.9 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with lateral stumps on axis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume margins eciliate, or ciliolate. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface glabrous, or puberulous. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 1 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 3–4 mm long; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; apex unappendaged.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Lorch 1993.

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