Eragrostis Wolf

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Annuals or perennials; ligule a line of hairs, rarely a membrane

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence an open or contracted panicle, very rarely of racemes along an axis

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 2- to many-flowered, orbicular to vermiform, variously disarticulating; glumes often deciduous, 1- or rarely 3-nerved; lemmas 3-nerved, keeled or rounded on the back, membranous to coriaceous, glabrous to asperulous or rarely hairy, entire, truncate to acuminate, sometimes mucronate; palea-keels sometimes winged or ciliate; anthers 2–3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit mostly globose to ellipsoid, usually a caryopsis but sometimes the pericarp free.

Distribution

About 400 species in the tropics and subtropics.

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Morphology General Habit

Annual (135), or perennial (278). Rhizomes absent (373), or short (18), or elongated (16). Stolons absent (392), or present (13). Culms erect (254/310), or geniculately ascending (129/310), or decumbent (38/310), or prostrate (6/310), or rambling (1/310); robust (12/30), or slender (18/30); 2-50.05-300 cm long; firm (371), or wiry (28), or woody (4); without nodal roots (7/12), or rooting from lower nodes (11/12), or eventually collapsing and rooting from upper nodes (1/12). Culm-internodes terete (10/13), or semiterete (1/13), or channelled (3/13), or elliptical in section (4/13). Culm-nodes swollen (1/1). Lateral branches lacking (73/104), or sparse (28/104), or ample (17/104), or fastigiate (4/104), or suffrutescent (2/104). Branch complement one (1/1), or two (1/1), or three (1/1), or several (1/1), or many (1/1). Ligule an eciliate membrane (2), or a ciliolate membrane (4), or a ciliate membrane (3), or a fringe of hairs (388), or absent (5). Leaf-blades persistent (401), or deciduous at the ligule (3); aciculate (3), or filiform (46), or linear (356), or lanceolate (10), or elliptic (1); herbaceous (390), or coriaceous (12); stiff (52), or firm (347), or flaccid (4); without exudate (396), or viscid (7); without scent (401), or aromatic (2). Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous (3/3). Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous (15/15). Leaf-blade apex muticous (394), or pungent (8).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Bisexual (400), or dioecious (2). Inflorescence a panicle (401), or composed of racemes (3); terminal (397), or terminal and axillary (8); not deciduous as a whole (398), or deciduous as a whole (4); exserted (395), or embraced at base by subtending leaf (10). Panicle open (316/401), or contracted (73/401), or spiciform (31/401), or glomerate (6/401), or capitate (4/401). Primary panicle branches not whorled (380/401), or whorled at lower nodes (23/401), or whorled at most nodes (7/401); without sterile bristles (396/401), or sterile at the tips (8/401). Racemes borne along a central axis (3/3); unilateral (1/1); bearing few fertile spikelets (2/3), or many spikelets (1/3). Rhachis angular (1/1); terminating in a spikelet (1/3), or barren extension (2/3); extension bristle-like (2/2). Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis (1/1). Spikelets appressed (10/18), or ascending (1/18), or spreading (9/18); solitary, or in pairs (1). Fertile spikelets sessile (44), or sessile and pedicelled (1), or pedicelled (370). Pedicels filiform (52/75), or linear (4/75), or oblong (18/75), or reduced to a stump (2/75); tip widened (3/3). Male inflorescence similar to female (2/2); a panicle (1/1). Male spikelets resembling female (2/2).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 0 basal sterile florets (2/8), or 1 basal sterile florets (4/8), or 2 basal sterile florets (3/8), or 3 basal sterile florets (2/8), or 4-5 basal sterile florets (1/8); 1-13-145 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension (1), or with a barren rhachilla extension (6), or with diminished florets at the apex (397). Spikelets linear (131), or lanceolate (37), or elliptic (41), or oblong (237), or ovate (114), or orbicular (8), or obovate (3), or oblanceolate (1), or cuneate (1); laterally compressed (396), or subterete (13); 0.8-7.409-50 mm long; persistent on plant (4), or falling entire (4), or breaking up at maturity (397); rhachilla deciduous (98/397), or rhachilla persistent (299/397); disarticulating below each fertile floret (95/98), or between fertile florets but the distal falling as a whole (1/98), or below groups of fertile florets (2/98), or above glumes but not between florets (1/98); retaining paleas (233/298), or shedding paleas (67/298). Rhachilla internodes brief up to lowest fertile floret (401), or elongated between glumes (2); glabrous (396), or pubescent (5), or pilose (3). Floret callus pubescent (1/1).

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 0 basal sterile florets (2/8), or 1 basal sterile florets (4/8), or 2 basal sterile florets (3/8), or 3 basal sterile florets (2/8), or 4-5 basal sterile florets (1/8); 1-13-145 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension (1), or with a barren rhachilla extension (6), or with diminished florets at the apex (397). Spikelets linear (131), or lanceolate (37), or elliptic (41), or oblong (237), or ovate (114), or orbicular (8), or obovate (3), or oblanceolate (1), or cuneate (1); laterally compressed (396), or subterete (13); 0.8-7.409-50 mm long; persistent on plant (4), or falling entire (4), or breaking up at maturity (397); rhachilla deciduous (98/397), or rhachilla persistent (299/397); disarticulating below each fertile floret (95/98), or between fertile florets but the distal falling as a whole (1/98), or below groups of fertile florets (2/98), or above glumes but not between florets (1/98); retaining paleas (233/298), or shedding paleas (67/298). Rhachilla internodes brief up to lowest fertile floret (401), or elongated between glumes (2); glabrous (396), or pubescent (5), or pilose (3). Floret callus pubescent (1/1).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes persistent (35/362), or lower persistent, upper deciduous (2/362), or deciduous (327/362); shorter than spikelet (400), or reaching apex of florets (2), or exceeding apex of florets (1); thinner than fertile lemma (1), or similar to fertile lemma in texture (401); parallel to lemmas (399), or recurved at apex (1), or gaping (2). Lower glume linear (12), or lanceolate (187), or elliptic (5), or oblong (20), or ovate (214), or orbicular (2); 0.2-0.8384-1.25 length of upper glume; hyaline (20/274), or membranous (248/274), or chartaceous (5/274), or herbaceous (1/274), or cartilaginous (9/274); without keels (22), or 1-keeled (386); 0 -veined (16/401), or 1 -veined (384/401), or 2 -veined (7/401), or 3 -veined (13/401), or 4-5 -veined (1/401). Lower glume lateral veins absent (387), or obscure (1), or distinct (16). Lower glume surface smooth (392), or asperulous (11), or scabrous (2); glabrous (394), or pilose (12). Lower glume apex entire (400), or erose (2); emarginate (6), or obtuse (47), or acute (316), or acuminate (63), or attenuate (3), or setaceously attenuate (2), or cuspidate (1); muticous (398), or mucronate (3), or awned (2). Upper glume linear (7), or lanceolate (155), or elliptic (9), or oblong (21), or ovate (243), or orbicular (3); 0.2-0.8379-2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline (15/270), or membranous (248/270), or chartaceous (5/270), or herbaceous (1/270), or cartilaginous (10/270); with undifferentiated margins (398), or hyaline margins (4); without keels (4/401), or 1-keeled (400/401); 0 -veined (3/401), or 1 -veined (380/401), or 2 -veined (10/401), or 3 -veined (30/401), or 4-5 -veined (1/401). Upper glume surface smooth (393), or asperulous (10), or scabrous (2); glabrous (394), or pilose (12); with simple hairs (10/12), or tubercle-based hairs (3/12). Upper glume apex entire (401), or erose (2), or dentate (1); 3 -fid (1/1); emarginate (4), or truncate (1), or obtuse (45), or acute (319), or acuminate (64), or attenuate (4), or setaceously attenuate (2), or cuspidate (1); muticous (398), or mucronate (5), or awned (1); 1 -awned (1/1).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets barren (8/8); with palea (1/6), or without significant palea (5/6). Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate (1/1); 1 -veined (2/2), or 2-3 -veined (1/2). Fertile florets bisexual (400), or female (2). Fertile lemma lanceolate (27/400), or elliptic (78/400), or oblong (55/400), or ovate (290/400), or orbicular (24/400), or oblate (4/400), or trullate (1/400), or obovate (3/400); not gibbous (395), or gibbous (7); lanceolate in profile (6/15), or elliptic in profile (3/15), or oblong in profile (1/15), or ovate in profile (4/15), or hemispherical (1/15), or globose (1/15); hyaline (1), or membranous (335), or chartaceous (34), or herbaceous (1), or scarious (2), or cartilaginous (32), or coriaceous (3); of similar consistency above (399), or much thinner above (3); of similar consistency on margins (392), or much thinner on margins (10); without keel (11), or keeled (392); wingless (401), or winged on keel (1); 1-2 -veined (3/400), or 3 -veined (400/400), or 4-5 -veined (2/400). Lemma midvein without distinctive roughness (354), or scaberulous (34), or scabrous (19); eciliate (399), or ciliolate (2), or ciliate (3). Lemma lateral veins obscure (72/221), or distinct (86/221), or prominent (61/221), or thickened (5/221); without ribs (396), or ribbed (6); excurrent (6/17), or extending close to apex (5/17), or stopping well short of apex (6/17), or less than two thirds length of lemma (3/17). Lemma surface smooth (349), or granulose (8), or asperulous (12), or scaberulous (37), or scabrous (9), or tuberculate (1), or punctate (2); glabrous (392), or puberulous (3), or pubescent (2), or pilose (9), or hispidulous (3), or hispid (1); hairy on back (14/16), or on veins (2/16); with simple hairs (12/16), or tubercle-based hairs (4/16). Lemma margins eciliate (386), or ciliolate (2), or ciliate (8), or pubescent (4), or pilose (9), or woolly (1). Lemma apex entire (395), or erose (4), or dentate (4), or lobed (1); 2 -fid (1/4), or 3 -fid (3/4); incised 0.3-0.35-0.4 of lemma length; emarginate (15/399), or truncate (19/399), or obtuse (141/399), or acute (234/399), or acuminate (35/399), or setaceously attenuate (1/399), or cuspidate (4/399), or apiculate (6/399), or caudate (1/399); without ornament (401), or pubescent (1); muticous (389), or mucronate (28), or awned (3); 1 -awned (3/4), or 3 -awned (1/4). Principal lemma awn apical (29/30), or from a sinus (1/30). Palea embraced by lemma (400), or readily splitting down midline (2); 0.33-0.8484-1.1 length of lemma; hyaline (13), or membranous (386), or chartaceous (1), or cartilaginous (4), or coriaceous (1); 2 -veined (64/64). Palea keels separated (392), or approximate (8), or contiguous above a sulcus (2); unthickened (389), or thickened (13); wingless (378), or winged (24); with entire wings (22/24), or erose wings (1/24), or toothed wings (1/24); smooth (196), or scaberulous (150), or scabrous (59), or tuberculate (11); eciliate (292), or puberulous (3), or pubescent (5), or ciliolate (64), or ciliate (37), or pectinate (2), or woolly (1). Palea surface glabrous (399), or pubescent (1), or pilose (3). Palea apex dentate (3/3); muticous (401), or with excurrent keel veins (1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped (396/397), or distinct from fertile (1/397).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Lodicules 2 (213/213); fleshy (211/211); truncate (2/2). Anthers 2 (52/282), or 3 (235/282). Stigmas 2 (5/5). Ovary glabrous (1/1).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (378/387), or tardily free pericarp (7/387), or free soft pericarp (4/387); linear (2/277), or lanceolate (2/277), or fusiform (1/277), or ellipsoid (137/277), or oblong (83/277), or ovoid (49/277), or orbicular (47/277), or obovoid (8/277), or square (2/277); isodiametric (31/59), or laterally compressed (12/59), or dorsally compressed (13/59), or flattened (3/59); biconvex (2/14), or plano-convex (3/14), or concavo-convex (1/14), or trigonous (6/14), or quadrangular (2/14); smooth (2/16), or striate (5/16), or reticulate (10/16), or rugose (1/16). Embryo 0.33-0.4869-0.9 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform (10/11), or elliptic (1/11).

sex Male

Male inflorescence similar to female (2/2); a panicle (1/1). Male spikelets resembling female (2/2).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Cleistogene

Cleistogenes absent (401), or present (1); in upper sheaths (1/1).

Distribution

Europe (10), or Africa (212), or Temperate Asia (51), or Tropical Asia (56), or Australasia (75), or Pacific (33), or North America (54), or South America (91).

Gramineae, W. D. Clayton, S. M. Phillips And S. A. Renvoize. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1974

Morphology General Habit

Annuals or perennials, often glandular particularly on leaf-sheath and inflorescence

Morphology Leaves

Leaf-blades linear; ligule usually reduced to a ciliate rim, rarely membranous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence an open, contracted or spike-like panicle, the branches sometimes racemose but at least the longer with short side branchlets (except E. flavicans), rarely ending in a slender bristle

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets laterally compressed, variously disarticulating, awnless (except 9, E. arisiiglumis); glumes mostly subequal, shorter than the lowest lemma and 1-nerved; lemmas 3-nerved, mostly glabrous, acuminate to emarginate, rarely mucronulate; palea a little shorter than the lemma, deciduous or persistent, the keels sometimes long-ciliate, rarely winged; anthers 2–3

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis usually globose to ellipsoid, smooth or finely striate to finely reticulate, the pericarp adherent (sometimes slightly loose but never free).

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Morphology General Habit

Annual (12), or perennial (2). Culms erect (11/11), or geniculately ascending (10/11); slender (8/8); 6-32.67-80 cm long. Lateral branches lacking (6/9), or sparse (2/9), or ample (2/9). Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform (1), or linear (13); stiff (5), or firm (9).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a panicle; exserted (13), or embraced at base by subtending leaf (1). Panicle open (7), or contracted (8), or spiciform (1). Spikelets appressed (1/3), or spreading (2/3); solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear (12/12).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets (5), or 2-3 fertile florets (9), or 4 fertile florets (6), or 5-6 fertile florets (3), or 7-8 fertile florets (2), or 9 fertile florets (1), or 10-13 fertile florets (2), or 14-25 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear (7), or lanceolate (2), or oblong (6), or ovate (2), or obovate (1); laterally compressed; 2-9.017-30 mm long; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla deciduous (13), or rhachilla persistent (1); disarticulating below each fertile floret (1/13), or above glumes but not between florets (13/13); retaining paleas (1/1). Rhachilla internodes glabrous (12/13), or pubescent (1/13). Floret callus pubescent (1/1); obtuse (13), or acute (1).

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets (5), or 2-3 fertile florets (9), or 4 fertile florets (6), or 5-6 fertile florets (3), or 7-8 fertile florets (2), or 9 fertile florets (1), or 10-13 fertile florets (2), or 14-25 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear (7), or lanceolate (2), or oblong (6), or ovate (2), or obovate (1); laterally compressed; 2-9.017-30 mm long; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla deciduous (13), or rhachilla persistent (1); disarticulating below each fertile floret (1/13), or above glumes but not between florets (13/13); retaining paleas (1/1). Rhachilla internodes glabrous (12/13), or pubescent (1/13). Floret callus pubescent (1/1); obtuse (13), or acute (1).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes deciduous; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate (13), or ovate (1); 0.5-0.78-1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined (12/13), or 2 -veined (1/13), or 3 -veined (2/13). Lower glume lateral veins absent (12), or obscure (1), or distinct (2). Lower glume apex obtuse (3/13), or acute (10/13), or acuminate (4/13). Upper glume lanceolate (13), or ovate (1); 0.4-0.7032-1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined (10/13), or 2 -veined (6/13), or 3 -veined (9/13). Upper glume apex obtuse (3/12), or acute (9/12), or acuminate (3/12), or cuspidate (1/12).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Fertile lemma lanceolate (7), or elliptic (2), or oblong (4), or ovate (4); lanceolate in profile (2/2); membranous (6), or cartilaginous (1), or coriaceous (7); keeled; wingless (13), or winged on keel (1); 3 -veined (12), or 4 -veined (2), or 5 -veined (4), or 6-7 -veined (3). Lemma midvein without distinctive roughness (3), or scaberulous (10), or scabrous (1); eciliate (13), or ciliate (1). Lemma lateral veins prominent (2/2); without ribs (13), or ribbed (1). Lemma surface smooth (7), or asperulous (6), or scaberulous (2), or scabrous (1); glabrous (13), or pubescent (1). Lemma margins eciliate (13), or ciliate (1). Lemma apex emarginate (2), or acute (4), or acuminate (12), or setaceously attenuate (2); muticous (3), or mucronate (3), or awned (12); 1 -awned (12/12). Palea 0.4-0.548-0.66 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels wingless (9), or winged (5); smooth (10), or scaberulous (2), or scabrous (2); eciliate (3), or ciliolate (11). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped (2), or distinct from fertile (12); 2 in number (1/12), or 3 in number (5/12), or 4 in number (10/12), or 5 in number (8/12), or 6 in number (2/12), or 7-8 in number (1/12); barren (12/12); rudimentary (10/12), or linear (1/12), or lanceolate (2/12). Apical sterile lemmas muticous (1/12), or awned (11/12).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Lodicules 2 (2/2); fleshy (2/2). Anthers 3 (13/13).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; lanceolate (1/7), or ellipsoid (2/7), or oblong (2/7), or ovoid (2/7); isodiametric (1/1). Embryo 0.5 length of caryopsis.

Distribution

Tropical Asia (3), or Australasia, or Pacific (2).

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Morphology General Habit

Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending (1), or decumbent (1); slender (1/1); 10-21-36 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform (1), or linear (2); stiff (1), or firm (2).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a panicle. Panicle open (1), or spiciform (2). Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile (1), or pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets, or 2 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong (1), or ovate (2), or orbicular (2); laterally compressed; 2-4-10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret (2), or above glumes but not between florets (1).

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets, or 2 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong (1), or ovate (2), or orbicular (2); laterally compressed; 2-4-10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret (2), or above glumes but not between florets (1).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes persistent (1), or deciduous (2); shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate (1), or ovate; 0.6-0.7683-1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse (1), or acute. Upper glume lanceolate (1), or ovate; 0.6-0.7333-0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (2). Upper glume apex obtuse (1), or acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Fertile lemma oblong (1), or ovate (2); membranous (2), or cartilaginous (1); keeled; winged on keel; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein without distinctive roughness (2), or scaberulous (1); eciliate (2), or ciliolate (1). Lemma margins eciliate (2), or ciliolate (1). Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 0.66-0.72-0.75 length of lemma. Palea keels winged; eciliate (1), or ciliolate (2). Apical sterile florets 1 in number (1), or 2-3 in number (2), or 4-22 in number (1); barren; separate (1), or in a clump (2); oblong.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (2/2).

Distribution

Australasia.

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Morphology General Habit

Annual. Culms decumbent, or prostrate; 4-35 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence composed of racemes, or comprising only a few spikelets; terminal and axillary; deciduous as a whole; subtended by a spatheole; embraced at base by subtending leaf. Spatheole lanceolate; herbaceous. Peduncle widened at apex; disarticulating. Racemes single; unilateral; bearing 1 spikelet, or few fertile spikelets; bearing 1-3 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis flattened. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 3-7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4-8.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 3-7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4-8.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.9-1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.1-1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Fertile lemma oblong; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma apex obtuse; mucronate. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Anthers 3.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; oblong; trigonous. Embryo 0.33 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

Distribution

Australasia.