Key to Phalaris

View taxon page for Phalaris

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

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

1. Spikelets in clusters, lower 4–7 

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.

in each cluster with a staminate terminal floret

2. Perennial herb; fertile 

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.

surrounded by 6–7 staminate (or sterile) spikelets; 

panicle 

1. In flowering plants excluding Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a branched inflorescence in which the basal or lateral flowers (or some of them) open before the terminal or central flowers on any axis. 2. In Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, and some other groups, a panicle-like inflorescence is one in which at least some of the inflorescence units (e.g., heads in Asteraceae; spikelets in Cyperaceae and Poaceae), instead of individual flowers, are attached (stalked or unstalked) to branches and not directly to the main axis of the inflorescence and in which floral development may or may not proceed as in 1.

 

ovate 

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

; sterile 

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.

0.5–0.7 mm ..... P. coerulescens

2' Annual; fertile spikelet surrounded by 5–6 abortive, club-shaped spikelets; panicle generally obovate; sterile lemma 0.2–0.4 mm ..... P. paradoxa

1' Spikelets borne singly, all spikelets with a 

bisexual 

Both male and female reproductive parts occurring and functional in the same plant or structure (e.g., flower, spikelet, inflorescence).

terminal floret

3. Glume keels not or narrowly winged

4. Annual; fertile lemma 

lanceolate 

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

to ovoid, hairy except tip, tip ± beaked ..... P. lemmonii

4' Perennial herb; fertile lemma lanceolate, tip 

acute 

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

, ± sparsely hairy

5. Panicle lanceolate, branched, lobed, often ± purple; glumes 4–5 mm; fertile lemma 2.5–4 mm, sterile lemma 1.5–2 mm ..... P. arundinacea

5' Panicle generally ovoid, not lobed, ± purple; glumes generally 6–8 mm; fertile lemma 3.5–5 mm, sterile lemma 2.5–3.5 mm ..... P. californica

3' Glume keels broadly winged

6. Keel 

wing 

1. Thin, flat extension or appendage of a surface or margin. 2. In many members of Fabaceae and in some other groups, each of two lateral petals.

 

entire 

Having margins that are continuous and smooth (i.e., without teeth, lobes, etc.).

to irregularly toothed, sterile lemma 1, 0.3–1.5 mm, awl-like ..... P. minor

6' Keel wing entire, sterile 

lemmas 

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 2, up to 4 mm, not awl-like

7. Glumes scabrous; panicle narrowly 

cylindric 

Elongate, with parallel sides and, at any point, round in transverse section.

, base 

truncate 

Abruptly (not gradually) narrower or smaller at base or tip, as if cut straight across or nearly so.

, occasionally interrupted, fertile lemma generally 2–3.5 mm ..... P. angusta

7' Glumes glabrous to hairy, not scabrous

8. Perennial herb; glumes generally 4–5 mm ..... P. aquatica

8' Annual; glumes generally (4)6–10 mm

9. Sterile lemmas 1/5 fertile lemma, ± fleshy to corky ..... P. brachystachys

9' Sterile lemma 1/2 fertile lemma, not fleshy

10. Sterile lemma scale-like, 2–4 mm ..... P. canariensis

10' Sterile lemma feathery, 1.5–2 mm ..... P. caroliniana

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