Zoysia sinica

HABIT Perennial; mat forming. Rhizomes elongated. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with fibrous dead sheaths. Culms 5–25 cm long; 0.3–0.7 mm diam.; 3–5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 2–7 cm long; 2–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; linear, or lanceolate; multilateral; 3–5 cm long; 4–7 mm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1.5–3 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; 1.3–1.7 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; shiny. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; coriaceous; without keels. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3–4 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Palea without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China and eastern Asia.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Ohwi 1993.

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