Schizachne

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 35–50 cm long. Leaf-sheaths open for most of their length. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade venation with obscure cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 12–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus evident; bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.6 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; herbaceous; much thinner on margins; keeled; wingless; 7 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical. Palea 0.6 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Europe, or Temperate Asia, or North America.

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