Ratzeburgia

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms 10–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; angular. Rhachis internodes linear; together with the pedicel framing edges of sessile spikelets. Rhachis internode tip transverse; crateriform.

Spikelets squeezed between internode and pedicel; in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels linear.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets rudimentary.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; 4.565–6.6 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus base truncate; with central boss; attached transversely.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; indurate; 2-keeled; winged on keel. Lower glume surface cancellate; without pits. Upper glume oblong; coriaceous; 2-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; hyaline; 0 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; hyaline; without keel; wingless; 2 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex acute. Palea absent or minute.

DISTRIBUTION Tropical Asia.

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