Gynerium

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; reed-like; 300–1000 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Dioecious. Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 7–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus elongated; glabrous, or pilose.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; exceeding apex of florets; recurved at apex. Lower glume linear; 0.3–0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume linear; 1.5–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex caudate.

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma elliptic; membranous; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; plumose. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex caudate. Palea 0.25 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 2. Stigmas 2.

MALE Male inflorescence similar to female; a panicle. Male spikelets distinct from female. Male spikelet glumes 2.

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or North America, or South America.

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