Key to Leptochloa

View taxon page for Leptochloa

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

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

1. Sheaths papillate-hairy; 

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.

1–3 mm; 

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.

back keeled; 

florets 

In Poaceae, a single flower and its immediately subtending bracts (lemma and generally palea, the lemma subtending the palea when the latter is present); in a sterile floret, the flower and sometimes palea are rudimentary or absent.

2–4 ..... L. panicea subsp. brachiata

1' Sheaths glabrous or scabrous; spikelets 4–12 mm; lemma back rounded; florets generally 5–12

2. Perennial herb; stem 

internodes 

Segment of an axis (generally a stem) between successive positions (nodes) from which one or more structures (especially leaves, buds, branches, or flowers) arise.

solid; cleistogamous spikelets often present in lower sheaths ..... L. dubia

2' Annual; stem internodes hollow; cleistogamous spikelets 0

3. Lemma awnless or mucronate ..... L. fusca subsp. uninervia

3' Lemma 

awn 

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

0.5–3(5) mm

4. Florets ± white; lower 

glume 

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

2–3 mm, 

lanceolate 

Narrowly elongate, widest in the basal half, often tapered to an acute tip.

; lemma lanceolate ..... L. fusca subsp. fascicularis

4' Florets ± red; lower glume < 2 mm, triangular; lemma 

ovate 

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

..... L. viscida

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