Hystrix

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (6), or short (3), or elongated (1). Stolons absent (9), or present (1). Culms erect (3/5), or geniculately ascending (1/5), or decumbent (2/5); robust (1/2), or weak (1/2); 25–81.25–200 cm long. Leaf-sheath auricles absent (9), or falcate (1). Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate (2); firm (9), or flaccid (1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; ascending (8), or drooping (2); bilateral; bearing 15–19 fertile spikelets on each (1/3), or 20–30 fertile spikelets on each (3/3), or 31–40 fertile spikelets on each (1/3). Rhachis flattened (3/3). Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; contiguous (2), or lax (8). Rhachis internodes indefinite (5), or linear (2), or oblong (3).

Spikelets ascending (1/2), or spreading (1/2); solitary (5), or in pairs (5), or in threes (1), or clustered at each node (1). Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster (1/6), or 2 in the cluster (5/6), or 3–4 in the cluster (1/6).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets (5), or 2 fertile florets (8), or 3 fertile florets (6), or 4 fertile florets (3), or 5 fertile florets (1); with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex (2). Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 7–11.8–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret (9), or above glumes but not between florets (1). Rhachilla internodes definite (8/8); glabrous (6/8), or sparsely hairy (1/8), or pubescent (1/8). Floret callus brief (9), or evident (1); pubescent (3/4), or pilose (1/4).

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure (4), or one the lower absent or obscure (2), or two (7); persistent (9/9); shorter than spikelet (6/6). Lower glume subulate (7/7); 0.75–0.9438–1 length of upper glume; 1 -veined (5/5). Lower glume lateral veins absent (5/7), or distinct (2/7). Lower glume surface smooth (2/7), or scabrous (5/7); without pits (7/7); glabrous (6/7), or puberulous (1/7). Upper glume subulate (9/9); 0.25–0.6875–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1 -veined (7/7), or 2–3 -veined (1/7). Upper glume surface smooth (8/9), or scabrous (1/9); glabrous (8/9), or puberulous (1/9).

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate (8), or elliptic (3), or oblong (1); coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 3–4 -veined (1/9), or 5 -veined (9/9), or 6–7 -veined (2/9). Lemma surface smooth (6), or asperulous (1), or scaberulous (3), or scabrous (2); unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (8), or puberulous (1), or pubescent (1), or hispidulous (2). Lemma margins eciliate (9), or pubescent (1). Lemma apex entire (8), or dentate (2); 2–3 -fid (1/2); acute (1/8), or attenuate (7/8); mucronate (1), or awned (9); 1 -awned (9/9). Principal lemma awn apical (9), or from a sinus (1); 0.9–1–1.1 length of lemma. Palea 0.75–0.9321–1 length of lemma; 2 -veined (3/3). Palea keels eciliate (4), or ciliolate (7). Palea apex dentate (4/4).

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (8/8); scarious (1/1); glabrous (7/8), or ciliate (1/8). Anthers 3. Ovary pubescent on apex (9/9).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear (2/2). Embryo 0.2–0.225–0.25 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Temperate Asia (5), or Tropical Asia (1), or Australasia (3), or North America (2).

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