Flora of New Zealand Series

Type species: C. cristatus L.

Annuals or perennials. Leaf-sheath rounded. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat, ± lax. Inflorescence a ± secund, condensed panicle. Spikelets dimorphic, ⚥ spikelets ± concealed by Ø spikelets. ⚥ spikelets 1-5-flowered, often laterally compressed, disarticulating above glumes at maturity, rachilla prolonged; Ø spikelets below ⚥ spikelets, consisting of narrow rigid bract-like glumes and lemmas. Glumes of ⚥ spikelets subequal, hyaline, 1-nerved, excurrently mucronate or shortly awned. Lemma 5-nerved, chartaceous, oblong to lanceolate, rounded, awned from just below minutely or obscurely 2-toothed apex. Palea ≈ lemma, 2-keeled, apex shortly bifid. Lodicules 2, oblong. Stamens 3. Ovary glabrous; styles distinct, short; stigmas loosely plumose, laterally exserted. Caryopsis oblong, ± adhering to lemma and palea; embryo small, < ⅓ caryopsis; hilum short.

c. 4 spp. of Europe, western Asia and Africa. Naturalised spp. 2.