GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora

Descriptions

W.D. Clayton, M. Vorontsova, K.T. Harman & H. Williamson

© Copyright The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Calyptochloa

HABIT Perennial. Stolons absent (1), or present (2). Culms decumbent; 10–26.66–40 cm long; firm (2), or wiry (1). Lateral branches sparse (1), or ample (2). Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate (1). Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous (1/1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; paucilateral; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 5–6 fertile spikelets on each, or 7 fertile spikelets on each (2), or 8–10 fertile spikelets on each (1). Rhachis subterete (1/1). Spikelet packing adaxial (1/1); contiguous (2), or lax (1).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile and pedicelled (2), or pedicelled (1). Pedicels linear.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic (2), or ovate (1); dorsally compressed; 3–5.083–8 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus pubescent (1/1); base obtuse (1/1).

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets (2), or exceeding apex of florets (1); thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume lanceolate (2), or ovate (1); 1–1.266–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; without keels; 7 -veined (1/1). Upper glume surface smooth (1), or scabrous (1), or tuberculate (1); glabrous (1), or pilose (2). Upper glume apex truncate (1), or obtuse (1), or acute (1).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate (2), or ovate (1); 1.3–1.433–1.5 length of fertile lemma; herbaceous; 5 -veined (1/1); obtuse (2), or acute (1). Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; lanceolate in profile (1/1); chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined (1/1). Lemma lateral veins obscure (1/1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acuminate (1/1); awned; 1 -awned. Palea not rolled (2), or involute (1); 1 length of lemma; membranous (2), or chartaceous (1); 2 -veined (1/1); without keels (1), or 2-keeled (2).

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy (1/1). Stigmas 2 (1/1).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid. Embryo 0.3 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform (1/1).

CLEISTOGENES AND VIVIPARY Cleistogenes present; in upper sheaths.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia.

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