Crypsis vaginiflora

HABIT Annual. Culms decumbent; 10–30 cm long. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths outer margin hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Collar pilose. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; 1–5 cm long; 2–3 mm wide; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath, or a spatheole; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle capitate; ovate; 0.3–1.5 cm long. 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; 2.5–3.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5–3.2 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliolate. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume margins ciliate. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–3.2 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2.5–3.2 mm long; membranous; keeled; 1 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3; 0.6–0.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; 1.3–1.7 mm long; apex unappendaged.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: north, west tropical, northeast tropical, east tropical, and southern tropical. Asia-temperate: western Asia. Asia-tropical: India. North America: Mexico.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Reeder 1993.

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