Catapodium Link

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Morphology General Habit

Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending, or decumbent (1); 2-17-40 cm long. Lateral branches lacking (1/1), or sparse (1/1). Ligule an eciliate membrane.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a panicle (2), or composed of racemes. Panicle open (1/2), or contracted (1/2), or spiciform (1/2). Racemes single, or borne along a central axis (1); unilateral. Rhachis angular (2/2). Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; 2 -rowed (1/1). Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile (2), or pedicelled (2). Pedicels oblong (1/2), or cuneate (1/2).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets (1), or 3 fertile florets (3), or 4-5 fertile florets, or 6-7 fertile florets (3), or 8-10 fertile florets (2), or 11-12 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong (3), or obovate (1), or cuneate (1); laterally compressed; 4-6.768-12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes glabrous (3), or pilose (1).

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets (1), or 3 fertile florets (3), or 4-5 fertile florets, or 6-7 fertile florets (3), or 8-10 fertile florets (2), or 11-12 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong (3), or obovate (1), or cuneate (1); laterally compressed; 4-6.768-12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes glabrous (3), or pilose (1).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes distichous (3), or oblique (1); persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume linear (1), or lanceolate (3); 0.9-0.9375-1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels (2), or 1-keeled (2); 1-2 -veined (2), or 3 -veined (3), or 5 -veined (1). Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume apex acute (3), or setaceously attenuate (1). Upper glume lanceolate (2), or elliptic (1), or ovate (1); 0.75-0.8625-1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; with undifferentiated margins (3), or scarious margins (1); without keels (2), or 1-keeled (2); 3 -veined (3), or 7 -veined (1). Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Fertile lemma lanceolate (1), or elliptic (2), or oblong (1); elliptic in profile (1/2), or oblong in profile (1/2); coriaceous; without keel (3), or keeled (1); 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure (1/1). Lemma surface glabrous (3), or hirsute (1). Lemma apex emarginate (1), or obtuse (3); muticous, or mucronate (1). Palea 0.9-0.975-1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels smooth (1), or scaberulous (3). Palea surface glabrous (3), or pubescent (1). Palea apex dentate (1/1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Lodicules 2 (2/2). Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (2/2); concavo-convex (1/1). Embryo 0.2-0.2167-0.25 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform (2), or elliptic (2).

Distribution

Europe (2), or Africa, or Temperate Asia (2), or Australasia (2), or North America (1), or South America (1).