Key to Echinochloa

View taxon page for Echinochloa

(For a list of species in Echinochloa, use the above link.)

Jepson Manual glossary definitions can be seen by moving your cursor over words underlined with dots.

1. Lower 

lemma 

In Poaceae, the lower, generally larger of two sheathing bracts subtending a flower, generally ensheathing the palea (in a sterile lemma, the associated flower and sometimes palea are rudimentary or absent); with the palea and flower, comprising the floret.

generally unawned; 

spikelets 

1. In Poaceae, one or more florets (each a flower with subtending lemma and generally palea) and generally 2 subtending glumes; in a sterile spikelet, the flower(s) and sometimes palea(s) are rudimentary or absent. 2. In Cyperaceae, the smallest aggregation of flowers (generally more than 2) and associated bracts.

, especially those near the base of inflorescence, not breaking free at maturity; upper lemma > upper 

glume 

In Poaceae, each of generally two sheathing bracts that are the lowermost parts of a spikelet, subtending one or more florets.

in length, width ..... [E. esculenta]

1' Lower lemma often awned; spikelets breaking free at maturity; upper lemma < to ± > upper glume in length, width

2. Stem 

erect 

Upright; vertically oriented.

, densely tufted; spikelets 3.7–7 mm; plants resembling rice vegetatively, closely associated with rice cultivation ..... E. oryzoides

2' Stem sprawling, 

decumbent 

lying mostly flat on the ground but with tips curving up.

or erect; spikelets 2–5 mm; plant occasionally resembling rice vegetatively but, if so, the spikelets < 3 mm; plants generally not associated with rice cultivated, in wet, disturbed places and cultivated fields

3. Inflorescence branches 0.7–2(4) cm, without 2° branches; 

spikelet 

1. In Poaceae, one or more florets (each a flower with subtending lemma and generally palea) and generally 2 subtending glumes; in a sterile spikelet, the flower(s) and sometimes palea(s) are rudimentary or absent. 2. In Cyperaceae, the smallest aggregation of flowers (generally more than 2) and associated bracts.

2–3 mm, unawned ..... E. colona

3' Inflorescence branches 1–14 cm, generally rebranched, 2° branches often short and inconspicuous; spikelet 2.5–5 mm, awned or not

4. Upper lemma broadly obovate, 

acute 

Having a short-tapered, sharp tip, the sides convex or straight and converging at less than a right angle.

or 

acuminate 

Having a long-tapered, sharp tip, the sides concave.

, tip not sharply differentiated, not early withering; inflorescence generally erect, branches generally 

spreading 

Oriented more or less perpendicularly to the axis of attachment; often, more or less horizontal.

..... E. muricata var. microstachya

4' Upper lemma narrowly 

elliptic 

In the shape of a flattened circle or ellipse; wider than linear

to broadly 

ovate 

Egg-shaped (i.e., widest below the middle) in two dimensions (i.e., in one plane), as a leaf.

, acute or 

obtuse 

Having a short-tapered, blunt tip or base, the sides convex or straight and converging at more than a right angle.

, tip withering, differentiated from lemma body by a line of minute hairs or not; inflorescence erect to strongly drooping

5. Inflorescence spreading to erect, occasionally nodding, not drooping 180°, 2° branches generally inconspicuous; 

awns 

1. Bristle-like appendage or elongation, generally terminal. 2. Stiff, needle-like pappus element in Asteraceae.

straight or irregularly bent, <= 10 mm and only at branch tips or <= 50 mm and throughout inflorescence ..... E. crus-galli

5' Inflorescence generally drooping 180°, 2° branches to 3 cm; awns curved, 3–15 mm, throughout inflorescence ..... E. crus-pavonis var. crus-pavonis

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