Calyptochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 10–30 cm long; wiry. Lateral branches sparse. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; paucilateral; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 5–7 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis subterete. Spikelet packing adaxial; lax.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 3–4.5 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus pubescent; base obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface tuberculate; pilose. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1.3 length of fertile lemma; herbaceous; 5 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; lanceolate in profile; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Palea involute; 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid. Embryo 0.3 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

CLEISTOGENES AND VIVIPARY Cleistogenes present; in upper sheaths.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 16th November 2012.