Phuphanochloa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms geniculately ascending; 500–1000 cm long; woody; without nodal roots. Culm-internodes terete. Culm-nodes swollen. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement several; in a clump; with 1 branch dominant. Culm-sheaths deciduous; without auricles. Culm-sheath blade lanceolate. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; clustered at the nodes; in untidy tufts; with glumaceous subtending bracts; with axillary buds at base of spikelet; leafless between clusters.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 7–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; laterally compressed; 10–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes several; persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; coriaceous; without keels; 11–17 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 13–21 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pilose. Lemma apex acute. Palea coriaceous; 5–7 -veined. Palea keels winged; ciliate. Palea surface pilose. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous; ciliate. Anthers 6. Stigmas 3. Ovary umbonate; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid, or oblong; apex rostrate.

DISTRIBUTION Tropical Asia.

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