Crithopsis

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or decumbent; 10–35 cm long. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; oblong; bilateral. Rhachis fragile at the nodes. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes oblong; falling with spikelet above.

Spikelets ascending; in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 9.96–14.4 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume linear; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; without pits. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume linear; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; unwrinkled; without grooves; villous. Lemma apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; linear.

FLOWER Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; dorsally compressed. Embryo 0.2 length of caryopsis. Hilum linear; 1 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Africa, or Temperate Asia.

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