Gramineae Juss.

Volume V (2000) - Flora of New Zealand Gramineae

GRAMINEAE Juss., 1789

nom. altern. Poaceae Barnhart, 1895

SYNOPSIS

I SUBFAMILY BAMBUSOIDEAE
- Spikelets 1-many-flowered, usually laterally compressed. Glumes 2-4; lemma 5-10-nerved, awnless or rarely shortly awned; lodicules 3, usually large; stamens 3-6, rarely more; hilum linear. Inflorescence a panicle, fascicle, raceme or spike. Perennials, woody or herbaceous. Leaves with membranous ligule; leaf-blade tessellate or not.
- 1. BAMBUSEAE (Bambusa, Chimonobambusa, Himalayacalamus, Phyllostachys, Pleioblastus, Pseudosasa, Sasa, Sasaella, Semiarundinaria)
II SUBFAMILY EHRHARTOIDEAE
- Spikelets 1-3-flowered, 2 lower Ø upper ⚥ or ♂ and ♀; laterally compressed; disarticulating above reduced or 0 glumes; lemma 5-10-nerved, awned or awnless; palea hyaline 0-7-nerved; lodicules 2 or 0; stamens 6-1; stigmas plumose branches to base or not. Inflorescence a panicle or raceme. Leaves with cross-veins or not.
- A.
- - Inflorescence a panicle or sometimes a unilateral raceme. Spikelets 3-flowered with 2 lower florets Ø and reduced to lemmas, upper ⚥. Glumes 2, persistent, < or > florets. Palea hyaline, nerves 0, 1, 2 or rarely 3-5. Lodicules 2 or 0. Stamens 6 or 4, 3, 2, or 1.
  - 2. EHRHARTEAE (Ehrharta, Microlaena, Zotovia)
- B.
- - Inflorescence a panicle. Spikelets 1-flowered, ⚥, or 3-flowered with 2 lower florets Ø and reduced to lemmas, upper ⚥, or plant monoecious and spikelets unisexual. Glumes 0, or discernible as obscure lips at pedicel apex. Palea nerves 3-7, keel central. Lodicules 2. Stamens 6 sometimes fewer.
  - 3. ORYZEAE (Leersia, Zizania)
III SUBFAMILY POOIDEAE
- Spikelets 1-many-flowered, laterally compressed. Lemma several-nerved, awn apical or dorsal, or 0. Lodicules 2-3, membranous or hyaline. Stamens 3, rarely fewer. Stigmas usually 2. Caryopsis usually ellipsoid to fusiform; embryo ⅓-⅙ length of caryopsis; hilum linear to round. Herbs, usually with linear leaf-blades. Ligule membranous. Inflorescence usually a panicle or raceme.
- A.
- - Ovary apex glabrous, or hairy without an appendage
  - 1.
  - - Inflorescence a single unilateral raceme. Spikelets 1-flowered. Glumes much reduced; lower rim-like, upper almost 0. Lemma 3-nerved, with weak middorsal and 2 strong lateral keels. Lodicules 0.
    - 4. NARDEAE (Nardus)
  - 2.
  - - Inflorescence an open or contracted panicle. Spikelets 1-flowered. Glumes usually > floret. Lemma 5-9-nerved, rounded, membranous to crustaceous, terete to lenticular, awned. Lodicules 2 or 3.
    - 5. STIPEAE (Achnatherum, Anemanthele, Austrostipa, Nassella, Piptatherum)
  - 3.
  - - Inflorescence a panicle, sometimes a spike or unilateral raceme. Spikelets 2-many-flowered. Glumes usually ≤ lowest lemma. Lemma (3)-5-7-(13)-nerved, awned or awnless. Lodicules 2.
    - 6. POEAE (Austrofestuca, Briza, Catapodium, Cynosurus, Dactylis, Festuca, Lolium, Poa, Puccinellia, Schedonorus, Vulpia)
  - 4.
  - - Inflorescence a single bilateral raceme. Spikelets 1-2-flowered. Glumes appressed to rachis, usually exceeding and covering floret(s). Lemma 3-5-nerved, entire, awnless. Lodicules 2.
    - 7. HAINARDIEAE (Hainardia, Parapholis)
  - 5.
  - - Inflorescence a panicle, or raceme-like. Spikelets several-many-flowered. Glumes often papery, rarely > adjacent lemmas. Lemma 5-9-(13)-nerved, rounded. Lodicules 2, usually connate.
    - 8. MELICEAE (Glyceria)
  - 6.
  - - Inflorescence a panicle. Spikelets 1-several-flowered. Glumes usually > adjacent lemmas, often = spikelet. Lemma (3)-5-11-nerved, often with geniculate, dorsal awn. Lodicules 2, free.
    - 9. AGROSTIDEAE
    - (a)
    - - Spikelets 1-flowered, ⚥.
      - AGROSTIDINAE (Agrostis, Alopecurus, Ammophila, Deyeuxia, Dichelachne, Echinopogon, Gastridium, Lachnagrostis, Lagurus, Pentapogon, Phleum, Polypogon, Simplicia)
    - (b)
    - - Spikelets 2-several-flowered
      - (i)
      - Spikelets with 2-several ⚥ florets, or occasionally with 1 ⚥ and 1 ♂ floret.
        AVENINAE (Aira, Amphibromus, Arrhenatherum, Avena, Deschampsia, Holcus, Koeleria, Trisetum)
      - (ii)
      - Spikelets 3-flowered, the 2 lower florets ♂ or Ø, the uppermost ⚥.
        PHALARIDINAE (Anthoxanthum, Hierochloe, Phalaris)
- B.
- - Ovary capped by fleshy hairy appendage
  - 1.
  - - Inflorescence a panicle. Spikelets several-many-flowered. Glumes < lowest lemma. Lemma 5-15-nerved, usually awned, apex bifid. Lodicules 2, glabrous.
    - 10. BROMEAE (Bromus)
  - 2.
  - - Inflorescence spike-like. Spikelets 5-20-flowered. Glumes < lowest lemma. Lemma 3-9-nerved, sometimes awned, apex entire. Lodicules 2, ciliate.
    - 11. BRACHYPODIEAE (Brachypodium)
  - 3.
  - - Inflorescence a single bilateral raceme, with spikelets alternate in 2 opposite rows, single or in groups of 2-3. Spikelets 1-many-flowered. Glumes shorter or narrower than lowest lemma leaving much of it exposed. Lemma 5-11-nerved, awnless or awned. Lodicules 2, ciliate.
    - 12. HORDEEAE (Australopyrum, Elymus, Elytrigia, Hordeum, Leymus, Secale, Stenostachys, Thinopyrum, Triticum)
IV SUBFAMILY ARUNDINOIDEAE
- Spikelets usually 2-many-flowered, sometimes 1-flowered, laterally compressed, with fragile rachilla; glumes 2, well-developed; lemma (1)-3-9-nerved; palea 2-nerved; lodicules 2, cuneate, fleshy, truncate; stamens 3, or 2; stigmas 2. Inflorescence usually a panicle. Ligule a line of hairs.
- A.
- - Spikelets 2-several-flowered; florets all ⚥ or the lowest spikelet ♂ or Ø; lemma 3-7-nerved, ± acute or prolonged to a straight awn from tip. Glumes 3-5-nerved. Plants large, reed-like, leaves cauline. Inflorescence a large plumose panicle.
  - 13. ARUNDINEAE (Arundo, Phragmites)
- B.
- - Spikelets 2-several-flowered; florets ⚥ rarely unisexual; lemma entire or bilobed, with or without a straight or geniculate terminal awn, or awned from sinus. Plants tufted or tussock-forming. Inflorescence usually a small or large plumose panicle.
  - 14. DANTHONIEAE
  - 1.
  - - Florets usually ⚥; lemma nerves 7-9, anastomosing, bidentate or bilobed at apex, often with a central geniculate awn from sinus. Glumes 3-13-nerved. Plants tufted, or forming small to large tussocks, leaves mainly basal. Inflorescence variable from a single spikelet to a small or large plumose panicle.
    - DANTHONIINAE (Chionochloa, Pyrrhanthera, Rytidosperma, Sieglingia)
  - 2.
  - - Florets unisexual, or ⚥; lemma 3-nerved, bidentate and awned from sinus or drawn out to an awn from tip, awn straight. Glumes 1-nerved. Plants forming large tussocks, leaves mostly basal. Inflorescence a large plumose panicle.
    - CORTADERIINAE (Cortaderia)
V SUBFAMILY ARISTIDOIDEAE
- Spikelet 1-flowered, rachilla prolongation absent; glumes 1-many-nerved; lemma 1-3-nerved, concealing palea, 3-awned apically with or without a column; inflorescence paniculate.
- 15. ARISTIDEAE (Aristida)
VI SUBFAMILY CHLORIDOIDEAE
- Spikelets 1-flowered, or 2-many-flowered, laterally compressed; rachilla fragile; florets ⚥, or ♂ and ♀ on dioecious plants. Glumes 2, or rarely the lower minute or suppressed. Lemma 1-3-nerved. Palea 2-nerved. Lodicules 2, cuneate, fleshy, usually truncate. Stamens (1)-3. Stigmas 2. Caryopsis ovoid, fusiform or globose; pericarp adhering to seed or becoming loose; embryo large, often ⅓ - ¾ length of caryopsis; hilum punctiform or occasionally elliptic. Annual or perennial herbs. Ligule very variable, membranous, or membranous with a ciliate fringe, or a line of hairs. Leaf-blade linear or convolute. Inflorescence a panicle, or of 1 to several racemes.
- A.
- - Spikelets with 1 ⚥ flower; inflorescence racemose, sometimes reduced to a single spikelet
  - 1.
  - - Inflorescence of tough unilateral racemes, sometimes reduced to a single spikelet.
    - 16. CHLORIDEAE (Chloris, Cynodon, Spartina, Zoysia)
  - 2.
  - - Inflorescence a single fragile bilateral raceme.
    - 17. LEPTUREAE (Lepturus)
- B.
- - Spikelets with many ⚥ flowers and inflorescence paniculate or racemose, or spikelets 1-flowered and inflorescence paniculate.
  - 18. ERAGROSTIDEAE (Eleusine, Eragrostis, Sporobolus)
VII SUBFAMILY PANICOIDEAE
- Spikelets solitary, or paired, or in triplets, usually dorsally compressed, all alike, or differing in sex, size, shape and structure. Fertile spikelets usually 2-flowered, the lower floret ♂, Ø, or ⚥, the upper floret ⚥ or ♀; rachilla not prolonged; rarely plants dioecious. Glumes or upper lemma indurated. Lodicules 2, cuneate, fleshy, truncate. Stamens usually 3, rarely fewer. Stigmas usually 2. Caryopsis with large embryo. Ligule usually a membranous rim with dense ciliate fringe, but sometimes entirely membranous ( , , ) and occasionally suppressed ( ).
- A.
- - Spikelets solitary, or in pairs or triplets on pedicels of equal length; glumes usually herbaceous or membranous, lower usually smaller and often suppressed, upper usually similar in size and texture to lemma of lower floret; lemma of upper floret varying in texture from papery to very tough and rigid
  - 1.
  - - Spikelets falling entire at maturity.
    - 19. PANICEAE (Axonopus, Cenchrus, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Entolasia, Oplismenus, Panicum, Paspalum, Pennisetum, Sacciolepis, Setaria, Spinifex, Stenotaphrum, Urochloa)
  - 2.
  - - Spikelets disarticulating above glumes at maturity.
    - 20. ISACHNEAE (Isachne)
- B.
- - Spikelets in pairs or triplets with one sessile or shortly pedicelled, the other(s) longer pedicelled; glumes ± rigid, = spikelet and firmer than lemmas; lemma of upper floret hyaline or membranous, often awned.
  - 21. ANDROPOGONEAE (Andropogon, Bothriochloa, Imperata, Miscanthus, Sorghum, )

KEY TO TRIBES

(For genera present in New Zealand and represented by native or naturalised species)

Key

Bamboo with woody culms

1. BAMBUSEAE (Fig. 1)

Herbaceous grasses, or cane-like, or reeds

Spikelets 2-flowered, dorsally compressed; lower floret ♂ or Ø, upper floret ⚥ (in dioecious Spinifex florets all ♂, or Ø and ♀)

Spikelets 1-many-flowered; or 2-flowered, laterally compressed, both florets ⚥ or the upper floret Ø or ♂

Spikelets in pairs, or in triplets, one sessile or shortly pedicelled and the other(s) longer pedicelled; glumes ± rigid, firmer than lemmas

21. ANDROPOGONEAE (Fig. 24)

Spikelets solitary, or if in pairs or triplets then on pedicels of equal length; glumes herbaceous or membranous, similar to lemma of lower floret, less rigid than ± indurated lemma of upper floret

Spikelets falling entire at maturity

19. PANICEAE (Fig. 22)

Spikelets disarticulating above persistent glumes

20. ISACHNEAE (Fig. 23)

Spikelets with 1 ⚥ floret (in monoecious Zizania florets ♂ and ♀) with or without additional ♂ or Ø florets

Spikelets with 2 or more ⚥ florets (in dioecious Poa florets all ♂ or all ♀)

Glumes 0 or discernible as obscure lips, or lower glume rim-like

Glumes both or 1 well-developed

Inflorescence a panicle; lemma 5-10-nerved

3. ORYZEAE (Fig. 3)

Inflorescence a raceme; lemma 3-nerved

4. NARDEAE (Fig. 4)

Inflorescence a panicle, lax or spike-like

Inflorescence of 1-many racemes (reduced to a single spikelet in some Zoysia)

Spikelets with 2 ♂ or Ø florets below ⚥ floret

Spikelets with 1 ⚥ floret only, or with at most 1 additional ♂ floret

Lemmas of 2 lower Ø florets well-developed, coriaceous; awn terminal or 0

2. EHRHARTEAE (Fig. 2)

Lemmas of 2 lower florets scale-like (Phalaris), or lemmas well-developed, membranous to coriaceous, and awn dorsal or subapical

9. AGROSTIDEAE subtribe PHALARIDINAE (Fig. 11)

Ligule membranous

Ligule a line of hairs

Lemma terete to gibbous, firmly membranous to crustaceous, usually enfolding and concealing palea; awn terminal

5. STIPEAE (Fig. 5)

Lemma not indurated or clasping palea; awn usually dorsal or 0

9. AGROSTIDEAE

12a

⚥ floret solitary

AGROSTIDINAE (Fig. 9)

⚥ floret accompanied by 1 ♂ floret

AVENINAE

Lemma 3-awned, and concealing palea

15. ARISTIDEAE (Fig. 18)

Lemma awnless, palea not concealed

18. ERAGROSTIDEAE

Spikelets ± sunken in cavities of rachis, ± concealed by upper glume

Spikelets not sunken in rachis, nor concealed by glumes

Ligule membranous, minutely ciliate; spikelets edgewise to rachis, glume 1; lateral nerves of lemma almost to tip

17. LEPTUREAE (Fig. 20)

Ligule membranous, glabrous; spikelets broadside to rachis and glumes 2, or lateral nerves of lemma < ½ its length

7. HAINARDIEAE (Fig. 7)

Spikelets with 2 Ø florets below ⚥ floret

2. EHRHARTEAE

Spikelets without or rarely with 1 Ø floret below ⚥ floret

Lemma 1-3-(5)-nerved; racemes 1-many

16. CHLORIDEAE (Fig. 19)

Lemma 5-9-nerved; racemes single, bilateral

12. HORDEEAE (Fig. 14)

⚥ spikelet accompanied by Ø spikelets (Cynosurus)

6. POEAE

⚥ spikelet not accompanied by Ø spikelets

Inflorescence of several racemes

18. ERAGROSTIDEAE

Inflorescence a panicle or a single, sometimes compound raceme

Ligule membranous, sometimes with a ciliolate apex

Ligule a line of hairs

Inflorescence a spicate raceme

12. HORDEEAE

Inflorescence a panicle

Spikelets 2-(3)-flowered (rarely 3-6-flowered); upper glume exceeding adjacent floret, or awn dorsal, geniculate, recurved or straight, sometimes subapical or 0 (some Deschampsia, Koeleria)

9. AGROSTIDEAE subtribe AVENINAE (Fig. 10)

Spikelets 2-many-flowered; upper glume usually ≤ adjacent floret and awn terminal, subapical or 0

Ovary capped by hairy appendage; stigmas subterminal

Ovary lacking a hairy appendage; stigmas usually terminal

Inflorescence a lax panicle; lemmas usually awned, apex bifid; lodicules glabrous

10. BROMEAE (Fig. 12)

Inflorescence a spike-like panicle; lemmas sometimes awned, apex entire; lodicules ciliate

11. BRACHYPODIEAE (Fig. 13)

Lemma keeled or rounded, apex usually firm, terminally awned or awnless

6. POEAE (Fig. 6)

Lemma rounded, apex hyaline or scarious, awnless

Lemma ± flat, nerves 7, parallel, prominent, usually not extending into wide hyaline upper margin; lodicules connate

8. MELICEAE (Fig. 8)

Lemma basally thickened and cordate (Briza) or nerves 5-(7), usually extending to upper margin and midnerve often minutely excurrent (Puccinellia); lodicules free

6. POEAE

Glumes 0-1-(3)-nerved; lemma 1-3-nerved

18. ERAGROSTIDEAE (Fig. 21)

Glumes 1-13-nerved; lemma 3-9-nerved

Awn from tip, straight; lemma 1-5- or 5-7-nerved

13. ARUNDINEAE (Fig. 15)

Awn from between lobes or teeth, usually geniculate; lemma 3- or 7-9-nerved

14. DANTHONIEAE

28a

Glumes 3-13-nerved; lemma 7-9-nerved

DANTHONIINAE (Fig. 16)

Glumes 1-nerved; lemma 3-nerved

CORTADERIINAE (Fig. 17)

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Gramineae Juss.

SYNOPSIS

KEY TO TRIBES

Key

Volume contents

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