Loliolum

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 10–20 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single; unilateral. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 3–6.2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes lateral; persistent; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.8 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex attenuate; mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.5–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface smooth, or scabrous; unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex emarginate, or truncate, or obtuse, or acute; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid. Hilum linear; 0.33–0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia.

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