Zeugites

HABIT Annual (1), or perennial (9). Rhizomes absent (8), or short (2), or elongated (1). Culms erect (8), or geniculately ascending (2), or rambling (2); robust (2/3), or slender (1/3); 25–154.3–400 cm long; firm (9), or wiry (1). Lateral branches lacking (1/6), or sparse (3/6), or ample (2/6). Leaf-sheath auricles absent (8), or erect (2). Ligule an eciliate membrane (9), or a ciliolate membrane (1). Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath (4), or with a false petiole (6). Leaf-blades lanceolate (5), or elliptic (4), or oblong (2), or ovate (3). Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; terminal (9), or terminal and axillary (1).

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; tip cupuliform (1/1).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets, or 2 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic (1), or oblong (7), or ovate (3); laterally compressed; 5–10.3–20 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes brief up to lowest fertile floret (8), or elongated between glumes (2); definite (1/1). Floret callus pubescent (1/1).

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet (9), or reaching apex of florets (2); thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong (1), or orbicular (1), or obovate (8); not gibbous (9), or gibbous (1); 1–1.19–2.5 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 5–6 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (6), or 8 -veined (3), or 9 -veined (7), or 10–11 -veined (3). Lower glume surface without pits; glabrous (8), or pubescent (3). Lower glume apex entire (6), or erose (2), or dentate (2); 3–5 -fid (1/2), or 7 -fid (1/2); truncate (5/6), or obtuse (1/6). Upper glume oblong (3), or obovate (5), or cuneate (2); not gibbous (7), or gibbous (3); 0.66–0.7345–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined (3), or 7 -veined (6), or 8–9 -veined (3), or 10–11 -veined (1). Upper glume lateral veins with cross-veins. Upper glume surface glabrous (8), or puberulous (1), or pubescent (2). Upper glume apex entire (7), or erose (3); truncate (6/9), or obtuse (2/9), or acute (1/9).

FLORETS Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma oblong (5), or ovate (3), or oblate (1), or obovate (1); not gibbous (1), or gibbous (9); cartilaginous; keeled; wingless; 7 -veined (2/6), or 8 -veined (1/6), or 9 -veined (4/6), or 10 -veined (3/6), or 11 -veined (4/6), or 12–13 -veined (1/6). Lemma surface smooth (9), or asperulous (2); unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (9), or puberulous (1). Lemma margins eciliate (9), or ciliolate (1). Lemma apex entire (8), or erose (2); emarginate (1), or truncate (2), or obtuse (4), or acute (2), or rostrate (2); without ornament (8), or pubescent (2); muticous, or mucronate (1). Palea 0.9–1–1.1 length of lemma. Palea keels eciliate (9), or ciliate (1). Apical sterile florets 1–6–14 in number; male; elliptic (1), or ovate (9). Apical sterile lemmas muticous, or mucronate (1).

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (1/1). Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (8/8); fusiform (1/2), or orbicular (1/2).

DISTRIBUTION North America (9), or South America (4).

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