Tetrapogon

HABIT Annual (2), or perennial. Rhizomes absent (3), or short (2). Culms erect (4), or geniculately ascending (4), or decumbent (1); 15–49.9–104 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform (1), or linear (4).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; subtended by an unspecialized leaf-sheath (4), or an inflated leaf-sheath (1); exserted (4), or embraced at base by subtending leaf (1).

Racemes single (2), or paired (4), or digitate (1); side by side (4), or appressed back to back (1); erect (1), or ascending (4); unilateral. Rhachis angular (4/4). Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; 2 -rowed (4/4).

Spikelets ascending (4/4); solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets (2), or 2 fertile florets (1), or 3 fertile florets (4), or 4–5 fertile florets (3), or 6–7 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 2–5.1–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret (1), or above glumes but not between florets (4). Rhachilla internodes definite (4/4). Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet (2), or reaching apex of florets (1), or exceeding apex of florets (3); thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.6–0.731–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (1), or acuminate, or setaceously attenuate (2); muticous, or mucronate (1). Upper glume lanceolate (4), or ovate (1); 0.8–1.47–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex truncate (1), or obtuse (1), or acute (2), or acuminate (4), or setaceously attenuate (2); muticous (4), or mucronate (2).

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic (1), or ovate (2), or obovate (1), or cuneate (1); laterally compressed (1/1); elliptic in profile (1/1); coriaceous; of similar consistency on margins (4), or much thinner on margins (1); keeled; wingless (4), or winged on margins (1); 3 -veined. Lemma midvein eciliate (2), or ciliate (3). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (4), or pubescent (1); without hair tufts (4), or with conspicuous apical hairs (1). Lemma margins eciliate (2), or ciliolate (1), or ciliate (3). Lemma apex entire (4), or dentate (1); 2 -fid (1/1); obtuse (1/4), or acute (3/4); awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical. Palea 2 -veined (4/4). Palea keels eciliate (1), or ciliolate (4). Apical sterile florets 1 in number (2), or 2 in number (4), or 3 in number (3), or 4–6 in number (1); barren; separate (1), or in a clump (4); elliptic (1), or cuneate (4). Apical sterile lemmas muticous (1), or awned (4).

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (1/1); fleshy (1/1). Anthers 3 (1/1). Stigmas 2 (1/1).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (1), or free soft pericarp (4); oblong (3/4), or obovoid (1/4); dorsally compressed (4/4); biconvex (4), or trigonous (1). Hilum punctiform (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or Temperate Asia (3), or Tropical Asia (2).

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