The flowering plants of Africa / An analytical key to the genera of African phanerograms

by Franz Thonner

A Plant in flower. B Inflorescence. C Spikelet. D Flower. E Empty glume above the flower.

numerous, distinct; styles lateral; ovules solitary, erect, inverted. Fruits dehiscing by a longitudinal slit.

Genus 1, species 3. West Africa and Seychelles. (Including Seychellaria
Hemsl.) Sciaphila Blume

ORDER GLUMIFLORAE

[FAMILY 16.] GRAMINEAE

Stem usually herbaceous and hollow between the nodes. Leaves alternate, usually linear and furnished at their base with a sheath split open on one side and ending in a ligule. Inflorescence consisting of spikelets, rarely of single flowers, usually enclosed by 2 glumes (outer or empty glumes) and arranged in spikes, racemes, or panicles. Flowers in the axil of the flowering glume (or valve), subtended by the usually 2-keeled palea and sometimes by one or two, rarely more, minute lodicules. Perianth none. Stamens 1-6, usually 3. Anthers opening by 2 slits or pores. Ovary 1-celled. Ovule 1, erect or laterally affixed, slightly curved, with the micropyle turned downwards. Styles 2, rarely 3 or 1. Fruit indehiscent; pericarp usually dry and adnate to the seed. Embryo outside the copious albumen.—Genera 205, species 1600. “Grasses.” (Plate 8.)

1. Spikelets 1-flowered, rarely 2-flowered, the upper flower fertile, the lower male or barren and inserted immediately below the fertile one. Axis of the spikelet not produced beyond the fertile flower, jointed below the outer glumes or not jointed; ripe spikelets falling entire from their stalk or from the rachis of the spike, sometimes together with a part of it. [Subfamily PANICOIDEAE.] 2
Spikelets either 1-flowered with the axis produced beyond the flower or jointed above the outer glumes, which therefore persist when the spikelet falls off, or 2-flowered with both flowers fertile or with a distinct interval between the flowers or with a continuation of the axis beyond the flowers, or 3- to many-flowered. 65
2. Spikelets distinctly compressed from the side. Stamens usually 6. Seed with a linear hilum. [Tribe ORYZEAE.] 3
Spikelets compressed from front to back or not distinctly compressed.
Stamens usually 1-3. Seed usually with a punctiform hilum. 7
3. Spikelets in terminal clusters of two or three, connate, at length hardened.
Stamens 3. Style undivided, papillose.—Species 1. North Africa.
One source of the Esparto-grass, which is used for plaiting and paper-making. Lygeum L.
Spikelets in panicles. Stamens nearly always 6. Style 3-cleft or 3-parted, with feathery stigmas. 4
4. Spikelets unisexual; 1-2 sessile female and a stalked male on each branch
of the panicle. Flowering glume globose. Stamens 6. Style 1, long, 3-cleft. Leaves broad-lanceolate, stalked.—Species 1. Equatorial
West Africa. Leptaspis R. Br.
Spikelets bisexual or polygamous. Styles 3, short, free or united at the very base. Leaves linear or narrow lanceolate. 5
5. Outer glumes rudimentary. Flowering glume awnless.—Species 4.
(Homalocenchrus Mieg.) Leersia Swartz
Outer glumes distinctly developed. Stamens 6. 6
6. Flowering glume and palea slightly compressed, awnless. Leaves linear-lanceolate, more or less distinctly stalked.—Species 4. Madagascar and Natal. (Under Potamophila R. Br.) Maltebrunia Kunth
Flowering glume and palea strongly compressed.—Species 3, two wild in
Central Africa, the third (O. sativa L., rice) cultivated in various regions.
The seeds are used for food and for the preparation of meal, starch, oil, and brandy, the straw for plaiting and for the manufacture of paper and brush-ware. Oryza L.
7. (2.) Flowering glume and palea (if present) stiff or at length hardened, firmer than the outer glumes and awnless, at least in the hermaphrodite flowers. Lowest glume usually smaller than the others. Rachis of the spike or raceme or branches of the panicle rarely jointed. [Tribe
PANICEAE.] 8
Flowering glume and palea (if present) membranous, thinner than the outer glumes. 26
8. Flowers unisexual, monoecious. Spikelets in panicles, the male in the lower portion of the panicle or in special panicles. Outer glumes in the male spikelets none, in the female 2. Lodicules 3. Leaves net-veined.—Species
2. Tropical and South-East Africa. Olyra L.
Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous; in the latter case spikelets arranged in spikes. 9
9. Spikelets partly hermaphrodite, partly male or neuter. 10
Spikelets all hermaphrodite. 11
10. Spikelets in short spikes consisting of a lower hermaphrodite and two or three upper neuter spikelets; spikes unilateral on the flattened, leaf-like rachis of a compound spike. Stem erect. Leaves lanceolate, sagittate.—Species 1. Southern West Africa (Angola). Phyllorhachis Trimen.
Spikelets in a simple spike consisting of 1-2 lower female and 4-6 upper male spikelets; rachis of the spike enlarged at the base, but not leaf-like.
Stem creeping.—Species 1. Madagascar. Thuarea Pers.
11. Spikelets in short spikes sunk in pits on a broad rachis. Stem creeping.—Species
4. Tropical and South Africa. Used for binding the sand on riverbanks or as fodder; also in medicine. Stenotaphrum Trin.
Spikelets not sunk in pits on a broad rachis. 12
12. Spikelets surrounded or subtended singly or 2-3 together by an involucre formed of one or several bristles or spines or of 2 toothed glumes inserted below the two empty glumes. 13
Spikelets without an involucre formed of bristles, spines, or toothed glumes.
Empty glumes 1-3. Stigmas 2, feathery. 16
13. Involucre formed by two toothed glumes. Stigma 1, papillose. Aquatic herbs.—Species 1. Abyssinia. Odontelytrum Hack.
Involucre formed by one or several bristles or spines. Stigmas 2, feathery. 14
14. Axis of the spikelet jointed above the persistent involucre. Bristles of the involucre stiff and rough. Styles free from the base. Spikelets in spike-like panicles.—Species 30. Some of them (especially S. italica
Beauv.) are cultivated as cereals. Setaria Beauv.
Axis of the spikelet jointed below the involucre or not jointed; involucre falling together with the spikelet; rarely axis jointed above the persistent involucre, but then styles united at the base. 15
15. Bristles of the involucre numerous, stiff, thickened and often united at the base. Spikelets in spikes or racemes.—Species 10. Tropics and Egypt.
Some have edible seeds; several are fodder-grasses. Cenchrus L.
Bristles of the involucre fine, not thickened at the base.—Species 65. Some
(especially the duchn, P. typhoideum Rich.) are cultivated as cereals, as fodder, or as ornamental plants. (Including Gymnothrix Beauv. and
Penicillaria Willd.) Pennisetum Pers.
16. Spikelets with 2 outer glumes and 1 flower, or with 1 outer glume and 2 flowers. 17
Spikelets with 3 outer glumes and 1 flower, or with 2 outer glumes and 2 flowers. 21
17. Spikelets containing an hermaphrodite and a male flower, arranged in panicles. Glumes awnless. Styles free.—Species 1. South-west Africa
(Nama-land). Anthaenantia Beauv.
Spikelets 1-flowered, arranged in one-sided, usually digitate or panicled spikes. 18
18. Rachis of the spike prolonged beyond the spikelets. Style 1, with 2 stigmas.—Species
3. North-west and South Africa. Spartina Schreb.
Rachis of the spike not prolonged beyond the spikelets. Styles 2, free or shortly united. 19
19. Styles united at the base. Flowering glume papery. Upper outer glume awned. Spikelets in digitate racemes.—Species 1. East Africa.
(Stereochlaena Hack.) Chloridion Stapf.
Styles free. Flowering glume cartilaginous. 20
20. Lower outer glume decurrent into a callous swelling. Flowering glume mucronate.—Species 6. Central Africa. Eriochloa Kunth
Lower outer glume without a callus at the base.—Species 15. Tropical
and South Africa. Used as fodder-, medicinal, or ornamental plants.
The seeds of several species (especially those of the fundi P. exile Kippist) are sometime used as food. Paspalum L.
21. Spikelets containing two hermaphrodite flowers. Axis of the spikelet jointed above the persistent outer glumes. Outer glumes awnless.
Spikelets arranged in panicles.—Species 6. Tropics. Isachne R. Br.
Spikelets containing a single hermaphrodite flower and sometimes also a male flower. Axis of the spikelet jointed below the outer glumes; spikelet falling as a whole. 22
22. First (lowest) outer glume awned, as well as the second. Spikelets one-flowered, directed to one side and disposed in panicles.—Species 4.
Tropical and South Africa. Some are used as fodder. Oplismenus Beauv.
First outer glume awnless. 23
23. Second outer glume apparently removed from the first by a conical or cylindrical, strongly-haired swelling at the base, usually awned or mucronate.
Spikelets in panicles. 25
Second outer glume without a basal swelling. 24
24. First outer glume as large as or larger than the second, papery.—Species 1.
South-west Africa to Angola. (Under Panicum L.). Leucophrys Rendle
First outer glume much smaller than the second.—Species 20. Some are used as ornamental or fodder-plants. (Including Monachyron Parl. and Rhynchelytrum Nees, under Panicum L.) Tricholaena Schrad.
25. Second outer glume bearing, like the third, a long, twisted awn.—Species 1.
German East Africa. Acritochaete Pilger
Second outer glume unawned.—Species 220. Some (especially P. miliaceum
L., millet, and P. sanguinale L.) are cultivated as cereals, others furnish vegetables, syrup, or fodder, or are used for plaiting-work or as ornamental plants. (Including Axonopus Beauv., Digitaria Pers.,
Echinolaena Desv., Sacciolepis Nash, and Syntherisma Walt.) Panicum L.
26. (7.) Outer glumes 3, the lowest smaller than the others, the uppermost sometimes including a male flower. Rachis and branches of the inflorescence not jointed. [Tribe TRISTEGINEAE.] 27
Outer glumes 1-3; if 3, then the lowest larger than the uppermost. 30
27. Spikelets arranged in spikes. First and second outer glume minute, the third awned.—Species 3. Abyssinia. Beckera Fresen.
Spikelets arranged in panicles. Second outer glume not very small.
Flowering glume awnless. 28
28. Lowest outer glume minute, like the second awnless, the third more or less distinctly awned. Spikelets arranged singly along the branches of the panicle.—Species 1. Tropical and South-east Africa. Used as a fodder-grass. Melinis Beauv.
Lowest outer glume not very small; the third awnless, rarely both the second and third awned. 29
29. Outer glumes, at least the second, awned. Spikelets arranged singly along
the branches of the panicle. (See 24.) Tricholaena Schrad.
Outer glumes awnless, the first and second about half the length of the third and the flowering glume. Spikelets in clusters along the branches of the panicle.—Species 2. West Africa and Mascarene Islands. Used as ornamental plants. Thysanolaena Nees
30. (26.) Flowers unisexual. Male and female spikelets in different inflorescences, or male spikelets in the upper, female in the lower portion of the inflorescence. [Tribe MAYDEAE.] 31
Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous, rarely (Andropogon) unisexual, but then male and female spikelets in the same inflorescence and arranged in pairs, the male spikelets sometimes rudimentary. 33
31. Male spikelets in a terminal spike, the female at its base, enclosed singly or
2-3 together by a hardened globose bract. Style not very long, 2-cleft.—Species
1 (C. Lacryma Jobi L., Job’s tears). North-west Africa,
Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Used medicinally and for making ornamental articles and rosaries. Coix L.
Male spikelets in spikes arranged in a terminal panicle, female in spikes or spadices with membranous bracts or spathes. Style very long, undivided or shortly 2-cleft. 32
32. Female spikelets in fascicled spikes with a jointed rachis. Style 2-cleft.
Fruit enclosed when ripe in a cartilagineous case.—Species 1 (E. mexicana Schrad., Teosinte), cultivated as an ornamental or fodder-plant. Euchlaena Schrad.
Female spikelets connate into a spadix with a thick, not jointed rachis.
Fruit projecting beyond the membranous glumes, rarely enclosed by leathery glumes.—Species 1 (Z. Mays L., maize or Indian corn). Cultivated for the grain or as a fodder- or ornamental plant. The seeds are also used for the preparation of starch, oil, and spirituous drinks. The leaves and spathes yield fibre. Zea L.
33. Spikelets in heads surrounded by 2 or 3 involucral bracts, containing a single hermaphrodite flower. Outer glumes 2, membranous, awnless, the lower one short. Flowering glume larger than the outer glumes, awnless.
Stamens 2.—Species 1. North Africa and Senegambia. Crypsis Ait.
Spikelets in spikes, racemes, or panicles. 34
34. Spikelets arranged singly or in clusters of 3-6, very rarely in pairs, along the continuous rachis of a spike or raceme. Outer glumes 2.
[Tribe ZOYSIEAE.] 35
Spikelets arranged in pairs, one sessile, the other stalked, more rarely singly or in clusters of 3 or more, along the more or less distinctly jointed rachis of a spike or raceme or along the branches of a sometimes very narrow (spike-like) panicle. Outer glumes usually 3. [Tribe ANDROPOGONEAE.] 42
35. Spikelets in clusters of 3-6, falling as a whole. 36
Spikelets solitary along the rachis, rarely in pairs. 38
36. Clusters of spikelets enclosed by a hard, urn-shaped involucre formed by the lowest outer glumes. Rachis of the spike wavy.—Species 5. Central and South Africa. Anthephora Schreb.
Clusters of spikelets without an involucre. 37
37. Clusters containing 2-4 fertile spikelets and a barren one. Outer glumes
1-2, the upper one with hooked spines on the nerves. Rachis of the spike glabrous.—Species 4. (Nazia Adans.) Tragus Hall.
Clusters containing 1-2 fertile and 2-3 barren, often awn-like spikelets.
Outer glume 1, with rough nerves, awned.—Species 1. Southern West
Africa (Hereroland). Monelytrum Hack.
38. Styles united at the base; stigmas short, feathery. Outer glumes 2, glabrous, with a long awn or awnless. Flowering glume smaller. Spikelets diverging from the rachis.—Species 4. Tropical and South Africa.
Used as fodder-grasses. Perotis Ait.
Styles free or the stigmas elongated and short-haired all round. 39
39. Outer glume 1, compressed, keeled, awnless. Styles free. Spikelets pressed close to the rachis. Leaves stiff.—Species 1. Mascarene
Islands. (Osterdomia Neck.) Zoysia Willd.
Outer glumes 2. 40
40. Outer glumes subulate, with a long awn, short-haired. Flowering glume somewhat shorter, with a rather long awn. Palea slightly shorter than the flowering glume, acuminate. Styles free. Fruit with a large hilum. Spikelets in pairs.—Species 1. Northern East Africa. Tetrachaete Chiovenda
Outer glumes and flowering glume with a short awn or awnless. 41
41. Outer glumes convex, with hooked spines on the back, awnless. Flowering glume much shorter, unarmed or mucronate. Styles free; stigmas feathery. Spikelets with a flattened stalk.—Species 1. Northern part of Central Africa. Latipes Kunth
Outer glumes compressed and keeled, not bearing hooked spines. Flowering glume broad, 3-nerved, mucronate or shortly awned. Stigmas long, short-haired all round.—Species 5. North Africa. Used as ornamental or fodder-plants. “Foxtail grass.” (Including Colobachne
Beauv.) Alopecurus L.
42. (34.) Joints of the rachis much thickened, forming, together with the appressed or adnate pedicels of the stalked spikelets, hollows in which the sessile spikelets are sunk. Flowering glumes awnless. Lowest outer glume leathery or hardened. Sessile spikelets hermaphrodite, stalked ones male or neuter, rarely (Ophiurus) reduced to the adnate pedicel and therefore apparently absent. [Subtribe ROTTBOELLIINAE.] 43
Joints of the rachis not much thickened, nor forming hollows for the reception of the spikelets, rarely slightly concave, but then flowering glumes of the sessile spikelets awned or (Elionurus) the lowest outer glume membranous or papery and marked with two transparent balsamiferous
streaks. 48
43. Lower outer glume awned or tailed, at least in the stalked spikelets. 44
Lower outer glume neither awned nor tailed, rarely tailed in the terminal spikelet only. 46
44. Lower outer glume with a long tail (or soft awn). Racemes digitate.
Aquatic herbs.—Species 1. Central Africa. Forming the chief element of the grass-barriers (sudd) of the upper Nile. Vossia Wall. & Griff.
Lower outer glume with 1-2 short awns, or in the stalked spikelets with a long awn, in the sessile awnless. Racemes solitary or arranged in racemes. 45
45. Lower outer glume with 1-2 short awns. Joints of the rachis horizontally truncate without an appendage.—Species 7. Central Africa. Used for plaiting-work. (Rhytidachne Hack., including Jardinea Steud.) Rhytachne Desv.
Lower outer glume in the sessile spikelets awnless, in the stalked ones with
a long awn or tail. Joints of the rachis obliquely truncate with an appendage at the tip.—Species 5. Central and South Africa. Urelytrum Hack.
46. Lower outer glume globular, pitted. Leaves cordate at the base.—Species
1. Tropics. Used in medicine. (Including Hackelochloa O.
Ktze.) Manisuris Swartz
Lower outer glume more or less ovate, flat or rounded on the back. 47
47. Stalked spikelets reduced to the adnate pedicel and therefore apparently absent.—Species 1. Northern East Africa. (Under Rottboellia L. fil.) Ophiurus Gaertn.
Stalked spikelets containing a male flower or reduced to empty glumes.—Species
15. (Including Hemarthria R. Br.) Rottboellia L. fil.
48. (42.) Sessile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower flower male, the upper male or hermaphrodite. Stalked spikelets 1-2-flowered or reduced to empty glumes. 49
Sessile spikelets 1-flowered, rarely all spikelets stalked and 1- or (Imperata)
2-flowered. 52
49. Sessile spikelets containing 2 male flowers, stalked spikelets a male and a female or hermaphrodite flower. Outer glumes of the sessile spikelets awned. Flowering glumes awnless. Spikelets in compound racemes.
Leaves lanceolate.—Species 1. Madagascar. Cyphochlaena Hack.
Sessile spikelets containing a male and an hermaphrodite flower. Flowering glumes of the sessile spikelets nearly always awned. [Subtribe
ISCHAEMINAE.] 50
50. Racemes reduced to the 3 terminal spikelets, surrounded by sheathing bracts, fasciculate; fascicles arranged in panicles. Stamens 2-3.—Species
1. Islands of Réunion and Socotra. Used as an ornamental plant. Apluda L.
Racemes consisting of numerous pairs of spikelets, solitary or digitate; one spikelet of each pair sometimes reduced to the pedicel. Stamens
3. 51
51. Stalked spikelets reduced to the pedicel. Lower outer glume tuberculate.—Species
1. Abyssinia. Thelepogon Roth
Stalked spikelets 1-2-flowered or reduced to empty glumes.—Species 7.
Tropical and South Africa. Some are used as fodder- or garden plants. Ischaemum L.
52. Spikelets all alike, hermaphrodite. [Subtribe SACCHARINAE.] 53
Spikelets of two kinds, the sessile hermaphrodite, rarely female, the stalked ones male or neuter, sometimes reduced to the pedicel. [Subtribe
ANDROPOGONINAE.] 60
53. Rachis of the raceme jointed. 54
Rachis of the raceme not jointed. 57
54. Racemes more or less palmately arranged on a short main axis, rarely solitary. 55
Racemes arranged in panicles along a slender main axis, silky. Spikelets in pairs. 56
55. Spikelets solitary on the branches of the inflorescence, all sessile. Flowering glumes awned from the back. Leaves cordate-lanceolate.—Species 5.
Tropics. Arthraxon Beauv.
Spikelets in pairs on the branches of the inflorescence, one sessile, the other stalked. Flowering glumes awned from the tip, rarely awnless. Leaves linear or lanceolate with a narrow base.—Species 5. South and East
Africa, Madagascar and the neighbouring islands. (Including Eulalia
Kunth) Pollinia Trin.
56. Flowering glume produced into a bristle or awn.—Species 5. South Africa, southern Central Africa, and Algeria. Some are used as ornamental plants or for plaiting mats. Erianthus Michx.
Flowering glume unarmed like the other glumes.—Species 5. One of them
(S. officinarum L., sugar-cane) known only in a cultivated state. It is used for the manufacture of sugar, syrup, rum, and wax, also as a vegetable and a fodder-plant. Saccharum L.
57. Spikelets in pairs along the rachis of the raceme, awnless. Outer glumes 3, membranous, silky. Stamens 1-2.—Species 1 (I. cylindrica P.
Beauv.) Sometimes a noxious weed in plantations, but also used for paper-making, and as a fodder-, medicinal or ornamental plant. Imperata Cyr.
Spikelets scattered along the rachis of the raceme, awned. 58
58. Outer glumes 3, the two lower stiff. Flowering glume very small, ending in a long awn. Panicle spreading, hairy.—Species 2. Central Africa. Cleistachne Benth.
Outer glumes 2. Flowering glume rather large, with a usually short awn in a terminal notch or on the back. Panicle spike-like. 59
59. Stigmas projecting at the tip of the spikelet, short-haired all round. Outer
glumes awnless, rarely with a short awn. (See 41.) Alopecurus L.
Stigmas projecting near the base of the spikelet, feathery. Outer glumes with usually long awns.—Species 6. North Africa, Abyssinia, and
South Africa. Some are used as ornamental plants. “Beardgrass.” Polypogon Desf.
60. (52.) Racemes bearing at their base a false whorl of 4 male or neuter spikelets and subtended by a spathe-like bract, more rarely without a bract. 61
Racemes without a whorl of male or neuter spikelets at their base, rarely surrounded by an imperfect whorl of spikelets, but then racemes in pairs subtended by a common spathe. 62
61. Hermaphrodite spikelets produced at the base into an appendage decurrent along the rachis, easily separating from the whorl of spikelets below them.—Species
2. (Anthistiria L. fil.). Themeda Forsk.
Hermaphrodite spikelets without a decurrent appendage at the base, falling together with the whorl of spikelets below them.—Species 1.
Naturalized in the Island of Mauritius. (Under Anthistiria L. fil.) Iseilema Anders.
62. Spikelets all stalked, in pairs, the longer-stalked hermaphrodite, the shorter-stalked male. Rachis of the raceme indistinctly jointed. Racemes terminal, solitary or 2-3 together.—Species 1. Tropical and South
Africa. Trachypogon Nees
Spikelets partly sessile, partly stalked. Rachis of the raceme distinctly jointed, fragile at maturity, rarely indistinctly or not jointed, but then spikelets in clusters of three, arranged in panicles. 63
63. Lowest outer glume marked with two transparent balsamiferous streaks, usually 2-toothed. Glumes awnless. Racemes solitary; rachis nearly always silky.—Species 10. Tropical and South Africa. Elionurus Humb. & Bonpl.
Lowest outer glume without balsamiferous streaks. Flowering glumes of the sessile spikelets awned, very rarely awnless and then racemes nearly always panicled. 64
64. Flowering glumes awned from the back. Leaves cordate at the base.
(See 55.) Arthraxon Beauv.
Flowering glumes awned from the tip or awnless. Leaves not cordate.—Species
110. The sorghum or Guinea corn (A. Sorghum Brot.) is cultivated as a cereal and used for manufacturing sugar, spirituous drinks, dyes, and brushware. Other species are used in perfumery (lemon-grass, vetiver-root) and medicine, for plaiting-work, or as fodder- or garden-plants.
(Including Anatherum Beauv., Chrysopogon Trin., Cymbopogon
Spreng., Euclaste Franch., Heterochloa Desv., Heteropogon Pers., Homopogon
Stapf, and Sorghum Pers.) Andropogon L.
65. (1.) Leaf-blade jointed with the sheath and finally separating from it, often contracted at the base into a short stalk, usually transversely
veined. Stem generally woody. [Subfamily BAMBUSOIDEAE.] 66
Leaf-blade passing into the sheath without a joint and without a stalk, rarely transversely veined. Stem herbaceous. [Subfamily POOIDEAE.] 79
66. Stamens 3. Styles 2-3, free. Outer glumes 1-2. Pericarp dry and thin. [Tribe ARUNDINARIEAE.] 67
Stamens 6. 68
67. Spikelets 2-flowered. Upper flowering glume keeled. Herbs.—Species 1.
Equatorial West Africa. Microcalamus Franch.
Spikelets many-flowered. Flowering glumes not keeled. Undershrubs or shrubs.—Species 2. East and South Africa. They yield wood, fibre, vegetables, edible seeds, and medicaments. Arundinaria Michx.
68. Fruit a nut or a berry; pericarp thick, free from the seed. Tall shrubs or trees. 69
Fruit a caryopsis; pericarp thin, adnate to the seed. [Tribe BAMBUSEAE.] 72
69. Palea rounded on the back, similar to the flowering glume. Spikelets
1-flowered. [Tribe MELOCANNEAE.] 70
Palea 2-keeled. Fruit a nut. [Tribe DENDROCALAMEAE.] 71
70. Spikelets in one-sided spikes, the axis not continued beyond the flower.
Outer glumes acuminate. Fruit a large apple-like berry. Trees.—Species
1. Naturalized in the Island of Mauritius. The fruits are edible; also the wood and the fibres are used. Melocanna Trin.
Spikelets in panicled clusters, the axis continued beyond the flower in the form of a bristle. Outer glumes rolled inwards. Fruit a small wrinkled nut. Shrubs.—Species 1. Madagascar. Used medicinally. Schizostachyum Nees
71. Spikelets 1-flowered, in scattered heads. Lodicules 2-3, large. Fruit oblong.—Species 1. Madagascar. Cephalostachyum Munro
Spikelets 2- or more-flowered, in panicled glomerules. Lodicules 1-2, very small, or absent. Fruit subglobular, beaked.—Species 1. Naturalized in the Island of Mauritius. Yields wood, fibre, vegetables, edible seeds, and medicaments, and is also used as an ornamental plant. Dendrocalamus Nees
72. Filaments united into a tube. Palea of the uppermost (hermaphrodite) flower of each spikelet usually 1-keeled. 73
Filaments free. Palea of the uppermost flower 2-keeled, rarely without a keel. 75
73. Spikelets terete. Lodicules none. Tall shrubs.—Species 5. Central
Africa. Oxytenanthera Munro
Spikelets compressed. Herbs. 74
74. Outer glumes 2. Fruit spindle-shaped, furrowed; style much broadened at the base. Spikelets in racemes.—Species 1. Equatorial West
Africa. Atractocarpa Franch.
Outer glumes 3-4. Fruit subglobular, not furrowed; style not broadened.—Species
5. Equatorial West Africa. Puelia Franch.
75. Spikelets 1-flowered. Outer glumes 6-10. Ovary glabrous. Style
2-3-cleft or -parted. Tall shrubs.—Species 3. Madagascar and
Mascarenes. Nastus Juss.
Spikelets 2- or more-flowered. Outer glumes 1-6. 76
76. Lodicules none. Spikelets 2-flowered, in clusters surrounded by two bracts. Ovary glabrous. Style undivided, hairy.—Species 1. German
East Africa. Oreobambus K. Schum.
Lodicules 2-3. Spikelets without bracts. Ovary hairy. 77
77. Lodicules 2. Outer glume 1. Palea not winged on the keels. Styles 2, free. Spikelets many-flowered. Herbs with 4 large leaves.—Species
1. West Africa (Cameroons). (Under Guaduella Franch.) Microbambus K. Schum.
Lodicules 3. Outer glumes usually 2. 78
78. Palea with winged keels. Spikelets strongly flattened. Herbs.—Species
5. Equatorial West Africa. Guaduella Franch.
Palea not winged on the keels. Spikelets slightly flattened. Tall shrubs.—Species
2. Cultivated and sometimes naturalized. They yield wood, fibre, vegetables, edible seeds, drinks, and medicaments, and are also used as ornamental plants. “Bamboo.” Bambusa Schreb.
79. (65.) Spikelets sessile in the notches on the rachis of a nearly always equal-sided spike, usually 2-ranked. [Tribe HORDEAE.] 80
Spikelets along a rachis without notches, in usually one-sided spikes or in racemes or panicles. 94
80. Spike one-sided. Spikelets solitary in each notch, 1-flowered. Outer glume 1, minute. Flowering glume awned. Stigma 1. Leaves stiff.—Species
1. Azores. “Matgrass.” [Subtribe NARDEAE.] Nardus L.
Spike equal-sided. Stigmas 2. 81
81. Spikelets solitary in each notch of the spike. 82
Spikelets 2-6 in each notch of the spike. [Subtribe ELYMINAE.] 93
82. Spikelets with the back towards the hollows of the rachis. [Subtribe
LOLIINAE.] 83
Spikelets with the side towards the hollows of the rachis. 88
83. Spikelets 1-flowered, awnless, the terminal one with 2 outer glumes, the others with one. 84
Spikelets 2- to many-flowered. 86
84. Flowering glumes with a hairy callus at their base. Outer glumes 1-3-nerved.
Dwarf herbs.—Species 2. South and East Africa. Oropetium Trin.
Flowering glumes with a glabrous, sometimes rudimentary callus. 85
85. Joints of the rachis of the spike produced into wing-like appendages.—Species
1. Island of Socotra. Ischnurus Balf. fil.
Joints of the rachis of the spike without wing-like appendages.—Species 3.
Madagascar, South and North-west Africa. Monerma Beauv.
86. Spikelets 2-flowered. Styles long. Outer glumes 2. Flowering glumes produced into 3 points.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria).
(Including Kralikiella Coss. et Durieu). Kralikia Coss. et Durieu
Spikelets many-flowered. Styles very short. 87
87. Outer glumes 2, awnless. Flowering glumes with 2 points and a dorsal awn. Lodicules 2-cleft. Fruit hairy at the top.—Species 2. North
Africa. (Including Meringurus Murbeck). Gaudinia Beauv.
Outer glumes in the terminal spikelets 2, in the lateral single. Fruit glabrous.—Species 6. North, South, and East Africa. Two species
(ray-grass) are cultivated on lawns; one (the darnel, L. temulentum L.) is poisonous. (Including Arthrochortus Lowe). Lolium L.
88. Spikelets 1-, very rarely 2-flowered, in a slender spike; joints of the spike separating at maturity together with the lower spikelet. Outer glumes approximate in front. [Subtribe LEPTURINAE.] 89
Spikelets 2- to many-flowered, in usually stout spikes; joints of the spike separating at maturity together with the upper spikelet or not separating at all. Outer glumes opposite one another. [Subtribe TRITICINAE.] 90
89. Outer glume 1, very small. Flowering glumes awned. Stamen 1. Rachis of the spike with but slightly hollowed joints.—Species 1. North-west
Africa (Algeria). Psilurus Trin.
Outer glumes 2, large. Flowering glumes awnless.—Species 4. North
Africa, Abyssinia, Socotra. Lepturus R. Br.
90. Flowering glumes decurrent into a callus limited by a furrow, falling with the fruit when ripe. Fruit adhering to the palea.—Species 7. North
Africa, Abyssinia, South Africa. The quitch grass (A. repens Beauv.) is used for binding the sand, as fodder, for making syrup, and medicinally.
(Including Eremopyrum Jaub. et Spach). Agropyrum Gaertn.
Flowering glumes without a callus at the base, persisting at maturity.
Fruit free. 91
91. Outer glumes ovate, 3- to many-nerved. Fertile spikelets ventricose,
2-5-flowered. Spike usually with a terminal spikelet.—Species 13.
Ten species spontaneous in North Africa and Abyssinia, the others
(especially the wheat, T. sativum Lam. and polonicum L.) cultivated in various regions. The latter are used as cereals and for plaiting-work, other species as ornamental plants. (Including Aegilops L.) Triticum L.
Outer glumes oblong lanceolate or subulate, 1-2-nerved. Spikelets not ventricose, 2-, rarely 3-flowered. Spike without a terminal spikelet. 92
92. Outer glumes truncate, two-keeled, with a long awn. Flowering glumes awned from below the tip. Spike very dense.—Species 2. North-west
Africa. Haynaldia Schur
Outer glumes acuminate, one-nerved. Flowering glumes awned from the
tip. Spike rather loose.—Species 3. North Africa, Abyssinia, and
South Africa. One of them (the rye, S. cereale L.) is cultivated as a cereal and also used as fodder, for making brandy and paper, and for plaiting-work. Secale L.
93. Spikelets 1-flowered, sometimes with an empty glume above the flower.
Flowering glume awned.—Species 8. North Africa; some species also cultivated or naturalized in Abyssinia, Madagascar, and South Africa.
The barley (H. sativum Jessen) is cultivated as a cereal and for making beer; it is also used as fodder and for medicinal purposes. Other species are used as ornamental plants. Hordeum L.
Spikelets 2-6-flowered.—Species 2. North Africa. Used as ornamental plants. “Lymegrass.” Elymus L.
94. (79.) Spikelets in two rows approximated to one another, forming one-sided, sometimes panicled spikes (or spike-like racemes). [Tribe CHLORIDEAE.] 95
Spikelets in sometimes spike-like but equal-sided racemes or more frequently in panicles not consisting of one-sided spikes. 123
95. Spikelets containing 1 hermaphrodite flower. 96
Spikelets containing 2 or more hermaphrodite flowers. 108
96. Spikelets bearing no male flowers or empty glumes above the hermaphrodite flower, but sometimes ending in a short bristle. 97
Spikelets bearing above the hermaphrodite flower a male flower or one or several empty, sometimes very small or awn-like glumes. 101
97. Spikelets awned. 98
Spikelets awnless. 99
98. Flowering glume much shorter than the outer glumes, with a very long awn. Spikes 1-4, terminal.—Species 3. Central Africa and Egypt. Schoenefeldia Kunth
Flowering glume almost as long as the outer glumes, with a short awn.
Spikes numerous, arranged along a common axis.—Species 4. Southern
West Africa. Willkommia Hack.
99. Spikes solitary, terminal.—Species 3. Central and South Africa. Used in medicine. Microchloa R. Br.
Spikes digitate or in racemes. 100
100. Spikes digitate, 3-5. Flowering glume usually larger than the outer glumes.—Species 5. Some are used as pasture-grasses or in medicine.
“Dogstooth.” Cynodon Pers.
Spikes arranged along a common axis. Rachis of the spike dilated.
Flowering glume much smaller than the outer glumes.—Species 2.
East Africa. Craspedorhachis Benth.
101. Outer glumes 4. Second outer glume and flowering glume awned. Spikes solitary, rarely 2-3 together.—Species 5. Tropical and South Africa and Egypt. (Including Campulosus Desv.) Ctenium Panzer
Outer glumes 2. 102
102. Spike 1, terminal. 103
Spikes 2 or more, sometimes fascicle-like. 105
103. Flowering glume many-nerved, awned. Styles united at the base, with shortly bearded, at length spirally twisted stigmas.—Species 1. Central
Africa. Streptogyne Beauv.
Flowering glume 3-nerved. Styles free, with feathery stigmas. 104
104. Spikelets awned, imbricate, in slender spikes.—Species 6. East and
South Africa, Madagascar and Seychelles. Enteropogon Nees
Spikelets awnless, crowded, in stout spikes.—Species 1. South Africa. Harpechloa Kunth
105. Spikes in false whorls or closely superposed.—Species 25. Some are used as ornamental or fodder-plants. (Plate 8.) Chloris Swartz
Spikes all distant or the lowest only approximate. 106
106. Spikes very short and very dense. Outer glumes ciliate, with a straight awn. Flowering glume with 3 awns. Several empty glumes above the flowering glume. Low grasses.—Species 1. Northern East Africa. Melanocenchris Nees
Spikes more or less elongated and loose. Flowering glume with 1 awn or awnless. Rather tall grasses. 107
107. Flowering glume awned, 2-toothed. Empty glume above the flowering one awn-like. Spikes very loose, at first erect.—Species 1. Abyssinia. Gymnopogon Beauv.
Flowering glume awnless. Spikes rather dense, spreading.—Species 8.
Central Africa. Some have edible seeds. (Including Cypholepis
Chiov.) Leptochloa Beauv.
108. (95.) Spikes 1-3, terminal. 109
Spikes more than 3. 114
109. Flowering glumes with 3, sometimes very short awns. Spikelets many-flowered.
Spikes long, rather loose.—Species 4. Central Africa. Tripogon Roth
Flowering glumes with one awn or mucro or unarmed. Spikes dense, usually short. 110
110. Flowering glumes with a rather long awn, long-haired on the back. Spikelets
2-3-flowered.—Species 6. Central and North Africa. (Including
Lepidopironia Rich.) Tetrapogon Desf.
Flowering glumes unarmed or mucronate. 111
111. Spikes 2-3 together. Spikelets 3-4-flowered. Fruit almost orbicular.
Leaves rather broad.—Species 1. Egypt and Nubia. (Under Eragrostis
Beauv.) Coelachyrum Nees
Spike solitary. Fruit oblong. Leaves narrow. 112
112. Spikelets 2-flowered. Flowering glumes and paleas delicately membranous.—Species
3. South Africa. (Prionanthium Desv.) Prionachne Nees
Spikelets 3- to many-flowered. Flowering glumes and paleas firmly
membranous, rather stiff. 113
113. Outer glumes subequal.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria). Wangenheimia Moench
Outer glumes very unequal or only one present.—Species 50. Some are used for the manufacture of paper or as ornamental or fodder-plants.
Fescue.” (Including Ctenopsis De Not., Nardurus Reichb., and
Vulpia Gmel.) Festuca L.
114. (108.) Outer glumes 4. Spikelets falling entire. 115
Outer glumes 2, usually persisting on the stalk of the spikelet. 116
115. Outer glumes 1-nerved. Flowering glumes 5-nerved. Styles short.—Species
1. South Africa. Tetrachne Nees
Outer glumes 3-8-nerved. Flowering glumes 7-11-nerved. Styles long.—Species 2. South Africa and Angola. (Under Tetrachne Nees). Entoplocamia Stapf
116. Outer glumes shortly awned, much longer than the flowering glumes.
Spikes short, distant, at length bent downward.—Species 2. Central
Africa and Egypt. Used as ornamental grasses. (Dineba Jacq.) Dinebra Jacq.
Outer glumes unarmed or mucronate, shorter than the flowering glumes. 117
117. Spikelets very densely crowded. Spikes digitate, at least the upper. 118
Spikelets not very densely crowded. Spikes distant. 119
118. Spikes ending in a point. Outer glumes mucronate.—Species 6. Used as cereals, fodder-, medicinal, or ornamental plants, and for making beer.
(Under Eleusine Gaertn.) Dactyloctenium Willd.
Spikes terminated by a spikelet. Outer glumes usually unarmed. Pericarp usually loose.—Species 10. The coracan (E. coracana Gaertn.) is cultivated as a cereal and for the preparation of beer; other species are used as medicinal or ornamental plants. (Including Acrachne Wight
Arn.) Eleusine Gaertn.
119. Flowering glumes rounded on the back. Pericarp more or less adhering to the palea. (See 113.) Festuca L.
Flowering glumes keeled. Pericarp free. 120
120. Glumes thinly membranous, the outer subequal. 121
Glumes firmly membranous, glabrous, the outer conspicuously unequal. 122
121. Flowering glumes 4-toothed, shortly awned.—Species 3. East and South
Africa. (Under Diplachne Beauv.) Leptocarydium Hochst.
Flowering glumes entire or obscurely 2-3-toothed. (See 107.) Leptochloa Beauv.
122. Spikelets 2-8-flowered, with a jointed, ciliate axis. Lodicules very small.
Fruit linear-oblong, closely enveloped by the glumes.—Species 2. South and East Africa. Used as fodder-grasses. (Under Eragrostis L. or
Leptochloa Beauv.) Pogonarthria Stapf
Spikelets many-flowered, with a tough axis. Lodicules rather large.
Fruit ovate, loosely enveloped by the glumes.—Species 1. East Africa
and Egypt. (Stapfiola O. Ktze., under Eragrostis L.) Desmostachya Stapf
123. (94.) Spikelets 1-flowered. 124
Spikelets 2- or more-flowered. 153
124. Outer glumes 4, rarely 3. Palea usually 1-nerved. [Tribe PHALARIDEAE.] 125
Outer glumes 2, rarely 1 or none. Palea usually 2-nerved. [Tribe
AGROSTIDEAE.] 129
125. Leaves lanceolate or elliptical, transversely veined. Spikelets in pairs on the branches of a panicle. Outer glumes 3.—Species 2. Madagascar. Poecilostachys Hack.
Leaves linear. Flowering glume awnless. 126
126. Upper two outer glumes, or at least the uppermost, larger than the lower.
Stamens 6, rarely 3.—Species 25. South and East Africa, Mascarene
Islands, St. Helena. Ehrharta Thunb.
Upper two outer glumes smaller than the lower, more rarely equalling them. Stamens 2-3. 127
127. Upper two outer glumes awnless, smaller than the lower. Flowering glume and palea hardening. Lodicules present. Stamens 3.—Species 10.
North, East, and South Africa. Some species are used as ornamental grasses. The seeds of Ph. canariensis L. (Canary-seeds) are used as food and in medicine. Phalaris L.
Upper two outer glumes awned; lower two unequal. Flowering glume and palea membranous. Lodicules none. Stamens 2. 128
128. Upper two outer glumes smaller than the lower.—Species 5. North-west and Central Africa. The vernal grass (A. odoratum L.) imparts a sweet scent to new-made hay. Anthoxanthum L.
Upper two outer glumes about as large as the lower.—Species 5. South
Africa and Madagascar. “Holygrass.” (Ataxia R. Br., under Anthoxanthum
L.). Hierochloë Gmel.
129. (124.) Stigmas shortly branched all round, protruding between the tips of the slightly gaping glumes. [Subtribe PHLEINAE.] 130
Stigmas feathery, protruding above the base of the spikelet or enclosed in it. 133
130. Flowering glume rather stiff, awned or mucronate. Axis of the spikelet produced beyond the flower into a bristle usually bearing an empty glume.—Species 2. South Africa. Fingerhuthia Nees
Flowering glume thinly membranous, unarmed. Axis of the spikelet rarely produced beyond the flower into a bristle without empty glumes. 131
131. Spikelets in slender simple spikes. Outer glumes obscurely keeled, unarmed. Flowering glume somewhat shorter than the outer. Leaves awl-shaped.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria). Mibora Adans.
Spikelets in spike-like panicles. Outer glumes distinctly keeled. Leaves
flat. 132
132. Flowering glume somewhat longer than the outer. Outer glumes unarmed.—Species
4. North Africa to Senegambia, East Africa, Madagascar. Heleochloa Host
Flowering glume much shorter than the outer. Outer glumes mucronate or shortly awned.—Species 5. North Africa to Senegambia. Some species have edible seeds or are used as ornamental grasses. Ph. pratense
L. is a valuable fodder-grass. “Timothy-grass.” Phleum L.
133. Flowering glume harder than the outer glumes at maturity, tightly enclosing the fruit. Axis of the spikelet not prolonged beyond the flower. [Subtribe STIPINAE.] 134
Flowering glume thinner than the outer at maturity, loosely enclosing or not enclosing the fruit, rarely harder or tightly enclosing the fruit, but then the axis of the spikelet prolonged into a bristle. 137
134. Flowering glume awnless.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria).
Yields edible seeds and is used as an ornamental grass. Milium L.
Flowering glume awned. 135
135. Flowering glume narrow, with a 3-branched awn, but the lateral branches sometimes very short. Lodicules 2.—Species 80. Some of them have edible seeds or are used as fodder. (Including Arthratherum Beauv.) Aristida L.
Flowering glume with a single awn. 136
136. Flowering glume narrow, with a strong, kneed, usually twisted, persistent awn. Palea not distinctly keeled. Lodicules usually 3.—Species 15.
North Africa, northern East Africa, Madagascar, and South Africa.
The Esparto-grass (St. tenacissima L.) is used for the manufacture of paper, ropes, and in plaiting-work, other species as ornamental grasses
(feather-grass); some have edible seeds. (Stupa L., including Macrochloa
Kunth) Stipa L.
Flowering glume broad, with a fine, short, deciduous awn. Palea 2-keeled.
Lodicules usually 2.—Species 3. North Africa, one species also introduced into South Africa. (Piptatherum Beauv.) Oryzopsis Michx.
137. Fruit not enclosed by the glumes; pericarp usually loose and dehiscing.
Axis of the spikelet not produced beyond the flower. Glumes unarmed.
Flowering glume usually longer than the outer ones.—Species 60. Some of them yield edible seeds or are used as fodder and for plaiting-work.
(Including Triachyrium Hochst. and Vilfa Beauv.) Sporobolus R. Br.
Fruit enclosed by the flowering glume and the palea; pericarp usually adnate to the seed. 138
138. Spikelets of two kinds, the fertile surrounded by the sterile, which consist of numerous glumes. Flowering glume 1-nerved, with a dorsal awn.—Species
1. North Africa and Abyssinia; also introduced into South
Africa. Used as an ornamental grass. (Chrysurus Pers.) Lamarckia Moench
Spikelets all alike. 139
139. Outer glumes conspicuously shorter than the flowering glume. Flowering glume firmly herbaceous, 3-5-nerved, with a long, straight, terminal or subterminal awn. Panicle loose.—Species 2. East and South-east
Africa (Kilimandjaro and Transvaal). (Under Brachyelytrum Beauv.) Pseudobromus K. Schum.
Outer glumes almost equalling the flowering glume or exceeding it.
Flowering glume membranous, rarely firmer, but then many-nerved or with a distinctly dorsal awn or awnless. 140
140. Outer glumes feathery, long. Flowering glume with two short terminal awns or with a long dorsal one. Panicles spike- or head-like.—Species 1.
North Africa; introduced in South Africa. Used as an ornamental grass. “Harestail-grass.” Lagurus L.
Outer glumes not feathery. 141
141. Outer glumes bladdery at the base, much longer than the flowering glume.
Panicles spike-like.—Species 2. North Africa and Abyssinia. “Nitgrass.” Gastridium Beauv.
Outer glumes not bladdery. 142
142. Flowering glume cleft into 9-23 awn-shaped teeth. Panicles spike-like.—Species
13. Some are used as fodder-grasses. (Including
Enneapogon Desv.) Pappophorum Schreb.
Flowering glume with 1-3 awns or awnless. 143
143. Flowering glume with a delicate dorsal awn and two long and thin lateral awns.—Species 2. Egypt and Abyssinia. Trisetaria Forsk.
Flowering glume awnless or with a single awn and sometimes 2 short bristles. 144
144. Flowering glume with a terminal awn, rounded on the back, sometimes keeled towards the tip. (See 113.) Festuca L.
Flowering glume with a dorsal awn or with a short mucro or unarmed. 145
145. Flowering glume decurrent into a callus bearing a tuft of long hairs. 146
Flowering glume with a glabrous or shortly and scantily hairy callus or without a callus. 147
146. Flowering glume papery, unarmed or shortly mucronate. Spikelets large, with a glabrous and bristle-like or a club-shaped prolongation of the axis.—Species 1 (A. arundinacea Host, maram). North Africa.
Used for binding sand-dunes and as a fodder-grass; the root-stock is edible. (Psamma Beauv.) Ammophila Host
Flowering glume membranous, awned from the back, very rarely awnless.
Spikelets rather small, sometimes with a bristle-like and usually hairy prolongation of the axis.—Species 6. Azores, mountains of tropical
Africa, South Africa. Some are used as ornamental or medicinal plants. (Including Deyeuxia Beauv.) Calamagrostis Roth
147. Axis of the spikelet not distinctly continued beyond the flower. Flowering glume shorter than the outer glumes. 148
Axis of the spikelet produced beyond the flower into a bristle-like appendage
bearing sometimes empty glumes. 149
148. Palea as long as the flowering glume. Panicles few-flowered.—Species
1. South Africa. (Under Agrostis L. or Colpodium Trin.) Poagrostis Stapf
Palea shorter than the flowering glume. Panicles many-flowered.—Species
30. North and South Africa and mountains of the tropics. Some are used as fodder- or ornamental grasses. “Bent-grass.” Agrostis L.
149. Flowering glume much shorter than the outer glumes, with 2 bristles at the top and an awn on the back near the base. Continuation of the axis of the spikelet hairy, without glumes. Panicles spike-like.—Species
1. North-west Africa. (Under Gastridium Beauv.) Triplachne Link
Flowering glume slightly shorter or longer than the outer glumes. Continuation of the axis of the spikelet glabrous or bearing empty glumes. 150
150. Flowering glume with a very long awn. Outer glumes unequal. Continuation of the axis of the spikelet without glumes. Panicle loose.—Species
2. North-west Africa (Algeria). Used as ornamental grasses. Apera Adans.
Flowering glume with a short or moderate awn or awnless. Outer glumes subequal. Continuation of the axis of the spikelet usually with empty glumes. 151
151. Lower outer glume 1-nerved. Flowering glume 3-5-nerved, membranous, about as long as the outer glumes. Continuation of the axis of the spikelet with 1-2 empty glumes or without glumes.—Species
10. North Africa, Abyssinia, South Africa. Some are used as fodder-grasses. Koeleria Pers.
Lower outer glume 3-9-nerved. Flowering glume 5- to many-nerved, leathery or longer than the outer glumes. 152
152. Fruit deeply grooved. Flowering glume leathery, rounded on the back, with a kneed dorsal awn. Outer glumes 7-9-nerved.—Species 20.
Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Some (especially
A. sativa L.) are cultivated as cereals (oat) or fodder, and yield also oil and medicaments; others are used as ornamental grasses. (Including
Avenastrum Juss.) Avena L.
Fruit not deeply grooved. Flowering glume keeled, longer than the outer ones. Outer glumes 3-7-nerved. Empty glumes above the flower 2 or more.—Species 10. Extra-tropical regions. Some are used as ornamental grasses. Melica L.
153. (123.) Flowering glumes, at least one in each spikelet, bearing a twisted or kneed, generally dorsal awn, usually shorter than the outer glumes, rarely awnless, and then spikelets 2-flowered with a very short axis not prolonged beyond the flowers. [Tribe AVENEAE.] 154
Flowering glumes bearing a straight, terminal or subterminal awn, or unawned, usually longer than the outer glumes. Spikelets 2-flowered, the axis prolonged between the flowers or above them, or 3-many-flowered.
[Tribe FESTUCEAE.] 177
154. Spikelets 2-flowered without a continuation of the axis beyond the upper flower. Flowering glumes usually unawned. 155
Spikelets 2-flowered with a continuation of the axis beyond the upper flower, or 3-many-flowered. Flowering glumes awned. 161
155. Spikelets solitary, enveloped by a spathe. Flowering glumes connate.
Style 1, undivided. Stigma papillose. (See 3.) Lygeum L.
Spikelets in panicles, racemes, or spikes. Flowering glumes free. Styles
2, free. Stigmas feathery. 156
156. Outer glumes with a cartilaginous, pectinately-toothed keel. Panicle spike-like. (See 112.) Prionachne Nees
Outer glumes membranous. 157
157. Outer glumes hemispherical. Panicle spike-like.—Species 1. North-west
Africa (Algeria). Airopsis Desv.
Outer glumes not hemispherical. Panicle spreading. 158
158. Outer glumes shorter than the flowering glumes. Flowering glumes truncate or minutely toothed.—Species 1. North-west Africa. (Under
Aira L.) Molineria Parl.
Outer glumes somewhat longer than the flowering glumes. 159
159. Flowering glumes blunt, unarmed, hardened at maturity. Axis of the spikelet very short. (See 21.) Isachne R. Br.
Flowering glumes 3-lobed, 2-toothed, or mucronate, usually provided with
a dorsal awn, not hardened at maturity. 160
160. Flowering glumes 3-lobed, unarmed. Axis of the spikelet somewhat elongated between the flowers.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria).
Used as an ornamental grass. (Under Aira L.) Antinoria Parl.
Flowering glumes 2-toothed or mucronate, nearly always with a dorsal awn. Axis of the spikelet very short.—Species 8. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Some species are used as ornamental grasses. Aira L.
161. (154.) Flowering glumes with a terminal awn inserted between the apical lobes or teeth. 162
Flowering glume with a dorsal awn inserted below the apex. 168
162. Spikelets 2-flowered; the lower flower male, the upper female or hermaphrodite. 163
Spikelets 2- or more flowered; all flowers hermaphrodite or the uppermost male. Flowering glumes 5-11-nerved. 165
163. Spikelets in clusters of 3 at the tips of the branches of a raceme or panicle.—Species
13. Tropical and South Africa. Tristachya Nees
Spikelets solitary at the tips of the branches of a panicle. 164
164. Palea auricled. Flowering glume of the upper flower not distinctly toothed. Spikelets small.—Species 4. Tropical and South Africa.
Some are used for plaiting-work. Arundinella Raddi
Palea not auricled. Flowering glume of the upper flower distinctly
toothed. Spikelets large.—Species 25. Tropical and South Africa. Trichopteryx Nees
165. Spikelets with 2 flowers and a minute or bristle-like continuation of the axis. Flowering glumes with 2-4, at least partly bristle-like teeth. 166
Spikelets with 3 or more flowers, the uppermost of which is usually incomplete.
Flowering glumes with 2 rarely bristle-like teeth. 167
166. Fruit globular; pericarp crusty, almost free from the seed.—Species 5.
South Africa. (Under Danthonia DC.) Pentameris Beauv.
Fruit oblong.—Species 40. Southern and tropical Africa. The seeds of some species are eaten or used in medicine. (Under Danthonia DC.) Pentaschistis (Nees) Stapf
167. Spikelets falling entire with a part of their stalk. Lowest flowering glume without, the others with side-bristles.—Species 4. South Africa.
(Under Danthonia DC.) Chaetobromus (Nees) Stapf
Spikelets not falling entire; axis jointed between and below the flowering glumes.—Species 30. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. The seeds of several species are eaten or used in medicine. Danthonia DC.
168. (161.) Spikelets in spikes, many-flowered. (See 87.) Gaudinia Beauv.
Spikelets in sometimes spike-like panicles. 169
169. Lower flowers male, upper hermaphrodite. 170
Lower or all flowers hermaphrodite, upper sometimes male or barren. 171
170. Spikelets with 2 flowers and a bristle-like continuation of the axis. Stamens
3. Styles short.—Species 2. North-west Africa. They yield fodder and edible seeds. Arrhenatherum Beauv.
Spikelets with 3 flowers, one of which is sometimes reduced to a glume, without a continuation of the axis. Stamens in the male flowers 3, in the hermaphrodite 2. Styles long. (See 128.) Hierochloe Gmel.
171. Axis of the spikelets jointed at the base; spikelets falling entire, 2-flowered, the upper flower usually male, the lower hermaphrodite with the flowering glume unarmed.—Species 6. North-west and South Africa. Some are used as ornamental grasses. Holcus L.
Axis of the spikelets jointed above the persistent outer glumes. 172
172. Fruit grooved in front, usually adherent to the glumes. Spikelets large. 173
Fruit not grooved, free. Spikelets usually small. 174
173. Fruit slightly grooved. Styles inserted laterally below the summit of the ovary.—Species 30. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Some species are poisonous, others are used as fodder-, medicinal, or ornamental plants. Bromus L.
Fruit deeply grooved. Styles inserted at or near the summit of the ovary. (See 152.) Avena L.
174. Flowering glumes 2-cleft or 2-toothed to 2-awned. 175
Flowering glumes irregularly and minutely toothed or 2-lobed with toothed lobes or entire. 176
175. Flowering glume of the lower flower awnless, entire. Outer glumes 3-5-nerved.
Spikelets linear-oblong.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria) Ventenata Koeler
Flowering glume of the lower flower awned, 2-toothed. Outer glumes
1-3-nerved. Spikelets lanceolate-elliptical.—Species 20. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Some species are used as fodder- or ornamental grasses. Trisetum Pers.
170. Awns of the flowering glumes jointed, thickened towards the tip.—Species
3. North Africa. (Under Aira L.) Corynephorus Beauv.
Awns of the flowering glumes not jointed, slender throughout.—Species
5. Azores, Canaries, high mountains of Central Africa, subantarctic islands. Used as ornamental grasses. (Under Aira L.) Deschampsia Beauv.
177. (153.) Flowering glumes of the fertile flowers cleft in 3-23 awn-like or awn-bearing lobes. [Subtribe PAPPOPHORINAE.] 178
Flowering glumes entire or 2-lobed, rarely (Triodia) 3-lobed, bearing a single awn or unawned. 182
178. Flowering glumes 3-cleft, with 3 awns. Spikelets 5-15-flowered, in panicles.—Species 9. Southern and Central Africa, Sahara, Egypt.
Some are used as fodder-grasses. Triraphis R. Br.
Flowering glumes 4-many-cleft, with 5 or more awns. Spikelets 2-6-flowered. 179
179. Flowering glumes with 5-9 awns springing from the back of the lobes.
Style 1, short and broad, 2-cleft. Spikelets 2-3-flowered, in dense panicles.—Species 1. Egypt. Boissiera Hochst.
Flowering glumes with 5-23 awns springing from the tips of the lobes or from the notches between them. Styles 2, free. 180
180. Flowering glumes with 9-23 awn-like lobes. Spikelets 2-3-flowered, in spike-like panicles. (See 142.) Pappophorum Schreb.
Flowering glumes with 5-7 awns or awn-like lobes. 181
181. Flowering glumes with 5-7 subequal, awn-like lobes. Spikelets 2-3-flowered, in heads.—Species 1. North-west Africa. Echinaria Desv.
Flowering glumes with 9 lobes, 5 of which are awn-like. Spikelets 4-6-flowered, in rather loose panicles.—Species 3. Central and South
Africa and Egypt. Used as fodder and in medicine. (Antoschmidtia
Steud.) Schmidtia Steud.
182. Axis of the spikelets or flowering glumes covered with long hairs enveloping the glumes. [Subtribe ARUNDINAE.] 183
Axis of the spikelets and flowering glumes glabrous or short-haired. 185
183. Flowering glumes firmly membranous, 5-nerved, hairy like the axis of the spikelets. Ovary hairy at the top. Leaves narrow, more or less rolled up. Low grasses.—Species 1 (A. tenax Link). North Africa.
Used for making paper, in plaiting-work, as fodder, and as an ornamental plant. Ampelodesma Beauv.
Flowering glumes delicately membranous, 3-nerved; if hairy, then axis of the spikelets glabrous. Ovary glabrous. Leaves flat and rather
broad. Tall grasses. 184
184. Flowering glumes glabrous, entire, produced into a fine point. Axis of the spikelets hairy. Lowest flower of each spikelet usually male.
Panicles lax.—Species 2. Used in house-building, for plaiting-work and divers utensils, and as ornamental grasses; the root-stock is edible and used in medicine. “Reed.” (Trichoon Roth) Phragmites Trin.
Flowering glumes hairy, 2-toothed, with a mucro in the notch. Axis of the spikelets glabrous. Flowers all hermaphrodite or the uppermost flower or all flowers of the lower spikelets male. Panicles dense.—Species
5. North Africa, Madagascar, South Africa. Used in house-building, for plaiting-work, and as medicinal, fodder-, and ornamental plants.
Reed.” (Donax Beauv., including Neyraudia Hook. fil.) Arundo L.
185. Stigmas shortly papillose on all sides, projecting between the tips of the flowering glumes; styles long. [Subtribe SESLERINAE.] 186
Stigmas feathery, rather short, projecting near the base of the flowering glumes; styles short or almost wanting. 191
186. Styles united at the base. Stigmas spirally twisted. Spikelets in one-sided spikes or spike-like racemes, 2-flowered, very rarely 3-4-flowered.
Glumes many-nerved; the outer ones unarmed, the flowering ones awned. Leaves transversely veined. (See 103.) Streptogyne Beauv.
Styles free. Spikelets in sometimes spike-like panicles or in heads. 187
187. Spikelets in spike-like panicles, falling singly and entire, 2-flowered, very rarely 3-4-flowered, the uppermost flower male. Glumes awned or mucronate. (See 130.) Fingerhuthia Nees
Spikelets in heads or head-like panicles or in fascicles arranged in spike-like panicles, not falling entire. 188
188. Spikelets in fascicles arranged in slender spike-like panicles, rarely in heads, and then stamen 1. Glumes 1-3-nerved, mucronate or awned.
Spikelets 3-7-flowered.—Species 2. Central Africa. Elytrophorus Beauv.
Spikelets in head-like panicles. Stamens 3. 189
189. Glumes 4-7-nerved, long-awned. Spikelets 3-7-flowered. Panicles enveloped by the sheath of the uppermost leaf. Leaves awl-shaped.—Species
1. South Africa. Urochlaena Nees
Glumes 1-3-nerved, not awned, but sometimes mucronate. Leaves flat. 190
190. Spikelets 2-3-flowered, in spikes arranged in heads enveloped by the sheath of the uppermost leaf.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Morocco).
(Under Ammochloa Boiss.) Dictyochloa (Murb.) Camus
Spikelets 7-15-flowered. Inflorescence not enveloped by a sheath.
Species 2. North Africa. Ammochloa Boiss.
191. (185.) Spikelets 2-flowered, the lower flower hermaphrodite, the upper female. Axis of the spikelet elongated between the flowers, but not continued beyond them. Glumes unarmed, with faint nerves. Spikelets
in loose panicles.—Species 1. Madagascar. Coelachne R. Br.
Spikelets 2-flowered, both flowers hermaphrodite or the lower flower hermaphrodite, the upper one male or rudimentary, or 3-many -flowered. 192
192. Flowering glumes 1-3-nerved. [Subtribes TRIODIINAE and ERAGROSTINAE.] 193
Flowering glumes 5-many-nerved. 207
193. Flowering glumes 2-4-toothed or -cleft, rounded on the back, at least at the base. 194
Flowering glumes entire or obscurely toothed, rarely (Diplachne) distinctly
2-toothed and sometimes awned from the notch, but then keeled. 196
194. Flowering glumes with 3 rather obtuse lobes.—Species 1. North-west
Africa. Triodia R. Br.
Flowering glumes with 2 acute lobes and an awn or mucro between them. 195
195. Flowering glumes with a long awn, the upper ones empty. Outer glumes unequal. Spikes approximate, almost digitate.—Species 1. South
Africa. Lophacme Stapf
Flowering glumes with a short awn or a mucro. Outer glumes subequal.—Species
2. Central and South Africa. (Under Diplachne
Beauv.) Crossotropis Stapf
196. Spikelets of two kinds, the fertile 2-3-flowered and surrounded by the sterile consisting of numerous two-ranked glumes, arranged in one-sided spike-like panicles. Flowering glumes awned or mucronate.—Species
8. North and South Africa. Some have edible seeds or are used as fodder or ornamental grasses. “Dogstail.” Cynosurus L.
Spikelets all alike. 197
197. Spikelets in spike-like racemes, laterally flattened, falling as a whole, containing 3-4 fertile flowers and two empty glumes above them.—Species
1. Abyssinia. Harpachne Hochst.
Spikelets in panicles; empty glume above the fertile flowers 1 or none. 198
198. Main branches of the panicles two-ranked, usually branched at their base. 199
Main branches of the panicles not two-ranked. 203
199. Panicles spreading, with long, thin branches. Spikelets 2-4-flowered, with membranous, unarmed glumes. 200
Panicles contracted (more or less spike-like) or with very short, rather thick, but somewhat spreading branches. 201
200. Outer glumes slightly unequal. Perennial, creeping grasses, with flat leaves.—Species 1. North Africa. Catabrosa Beauv.
Outer glumes very unequal the lower very small. Stalk of the spikelet somewhat thickened. Delicate, annual grasses with narrow leaves.—Species
2. North Africa. Sphenopus Trin.
201. Panicles with short, rather thick, more or less spreading branches. Glumes
hard. Spikelets 3-13-flowered.—Species 5. North Africa. Cutandia Willk.
Panicles strongly contracted, dense, more or less spike-like. Glumes membranous. Spikelets 2-5-flowered. 202
202. Upper outer glume much broader and somewhat longer than the flowering glumes. Lower outer glume very short, almost bristle-like. Flowering glumes awned below the tip.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria). Avellinia Parl.
Upper outer glume neither broader nor longer than the flowering glumes.
Lower outer glume almost equalling the upper one. (See 151.) Koeleria Pers.
203. Branches of the panicle spike-like. Flowering glumes 1-3-nerved, usually toothed. 204
Branches of the panicle raceme-like. Flowering glumes 3-nerved, not distinctly toothed, unarmed or mucronate. 205
204. Panicles contracted, spike-like. Flowering glumes entire, acuminate.
Lodicules membranous. Fruit terete.—Species 3. South Africa and southern East Africa. (Triphlebia Stapf, under Lasiochloa Kunth). Stiburus Stapf
Panicles lax. Lodicules fleshy.—Species 9. Tropical and South Africa and Egypt. Some are used as fodder-grasses. Diplachne Beauv.
205. Flowering glumes rounded on the back. Spikelets conical, loosely 2-4-flowered; axis jointed, fragile. Fruit oblong, broadly grooved.—Species
1. North-west Africa (Algeria). Used in plaiting-work and as an ornamental grass. Molinia Schrank
Flowering glumes keeled. Spikelets not conical, densely 5-many-flowered. 206
206. Outer glumes unequal, the lower 3-nerved, the upper 5-nerved. Axis of the spikelet fragile. Fruit broadly grooved.—Species 1. Coast of East Africa. Halopyrum Stapf
Outer glumes 1-nerved, rarely the upper one 3-nerved. Axis of the spikelet usually tough. Fruit usually ovate and not grooved.—Species 130.
Some are used as fodder- or ornamental grasses, others as sand-binders or for plaiting-work. The tef (E. abyssinica Link) is cultivated in
Abyssinia as a cereal. Eragrostis Host
207. (192.) Axis of the spikelet bearing above the fertile flowers two or more empty glumes usually forming a club-shaped body. Flowering glumes keeled. Outer glumes 3-5-nerved. (See 152.) [Subtribe MELICINAE.] Melica L.
Axis of the spikelet bearing above the fertile flowers a single empty glume or none, rarely several, but then flowering glumes rounded on the back. 208
208. Leaves broadly-lanceolate or ovate, with fine transverse veins between the nerves. [Subtribe CENTOTHECINAE.] 209
Leaves linear or linear-lanceolate, without distinct transverse veins.
[Subtribes FESTUCINAE and BRACHYPODINAE.] 210
209. Spikelets 2-flowered, in pairs on the spike-like branches of a panicle.
Outer glumes 3, the uppermost sometimes bearing a barren spikelet in its axil. (See 125.) Poecilostachys Hack.
Spikelets many-flowered. Outer glumes 2.—Species 4. Tropics. Centotheca Desv.
210. Spikelets in glomerules arranged in panicles. 211
Spikelets not in glomerules. 212
211. Panicles one-sided. Outer glumes unequal, 1-3-nerved. Flowering glumes larger, firmer, 5-nerved, mucronate or awned, ciliate on the keel.—Species 1. North and South Africa. Used as a fodder- and ornamental grass. “Cocksfoot.” Dactylis L.
Panicles equal-sided. Outer glumes subequal, 5-7-nerved, usually hispid.
Flowering glumes shorter, thinner, 7-9-nerved, unarmed.—Species 3.
South Africa. Lasiochloa Kunth
212. Spikelets tightly imbricate in short spikes arranged in racemes or heads.
Flowering glumes broad, 7-9-nerved, somewhat shorter than the palea, mucronate.—Species 4. North and East Africa. Aeluropus Trin.
Spikelets tightly imbricate in solitary spikes or not imbricate. 213
213. Spikelets very tightly imbricate, arranged in a linear false spike. Flowering glumes sharply keeled from the base, 7-nerved, unarmed.—Species 7.
North and South Africa and St. Helena. Used as ornamental plants.
(Brizopyrum Link). Desmazeria Dumort.
Spikelets not very tightly imbricate; if rather tightly, then flowering glumes not keeled. 214
214. Styles inserted on the front of the ovary, conspicuously below the top.
Flowering glumes usually awned. Fruit linear or oblong, adhering to the palea. (See 173.) Bromus L.
Styles inserted on the top of the ovary or close to it. 215
215. Flowering glumes much shorter than the outer ones, 2-lobed or 2-cleft.
Outer glumes with white, membranous margins.—Species 4. South and North Africa. Schismus Beauv.
Flowering glumes slightly shorter or longer than the outer ones. 216
216. Flowering glumes cordate at the base, very concave, scarious, broader than the outer glumes. Fruit strongly compressed.—Species 5. North
Africa, Senegambia, and South Africa. Some are used as ornamental plants. “Quaking-grass.” Briza L.
Flowering glumes not cordate. 217
217. Flowering glumes distinctly keeled. 218
Flowering glumes rounded on the back, sometimes slightly keeled towards the tip. 220
218. Flowering glumes shortly awned, scarious. Panicles spike-like. (See
151.) Koeleria Pers.
Flowering glumes unawned, membranous herbaceous or cartilaginous.
Panicles usually spreading. 219
219. Flowering glumes cartilaginous at the base, herbaceous towards the tip.
Outer glumes unequal. Axis of the spikelet thickened. Panicles one-sided.—Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria). Sclerochloa Beauv.
Flowering glumes membranous or herbaceous at the base or throughout.—Species
20. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Some are used as ornamental grasses. Poa L.
220. Spikelets 2-flowered with very approximate flowers and a bristle-like continuation of the axis beyond them. Outer glumes rather stiff,
1-3-nerved. Flowering glumes somewhat shorter, blunt, awnless.—Species
10. South and East Africa. Achneria Munro
Spikelets 2-flowered, with perceptibly distant flowers and usually membranous outer glumes, or 3-many-flowered. 221
221. Outer glumes 7-11-nerved, membranous. Flowering glumes toothed, usually awnless. Paleas narrow, 2-toothed. Spikelets usually 2-flowered.
Fruit deeply furrowed. (See 152.) Avena L.
Outer glumes 1-5-nerved, rarely 7-9-nerved, and then flowering glumes awned and paleas broad. Spikelets usually 3-many-flowered. 222
222. Flowering glumes 2-cleft, awned, 7-9-nerved. (See 167.) Danthonia DC.
Flowering glumes entire, rarely toothed or 2-cleft, but then unarmed or
5-nerved. Styles very short. 223
223. Side-nerves of the flowering glumes nearly parallel, not joining the middle-nerve, sometimes obscure. Flowering glumes unarmed. Fruit oblong or ovate. 224
Side-nerves of the flowering glumes curved, converging towards the middle-nerve. Fruit oblong or linear. 225
224. Lodicules united. Styles distinctly developed. Fruit free, narrowly or not grooved.—Species 1 (G. fluitans R. Br., manna-grass). North-west
Africa. The seeds are used as food. (Under Poa L.) Glyceria R. Br.
Lodicules free. Styles wanting. Fruit usually adherent to the palea, broadly or not grooved.—Species 4. North-west and South Africa.
(Under Glyceria R. Br.) Atropis Rupr.
225. Paleas with rigidly ciliate keels. Flowering glumes 7-9-nerved. Outer glumes 3-7-nerved, rather stiff. Spikelets in spike-like racemes.—Species
9. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Some species are used as ornamental grasses. Brachypodium Beauv.
Paleas with finely ciliate or rough keels. Flowering glumes usually
5-nerved. Outer glumes 1-3-nerved. 226
226. Seed with a linear hilum. (See 113.) Festuca L.
Seed with a punctiform hilum. 227
227. Spikelets upon stout stalks in one-sided panicles. Flowering glumes unarmed.—Species 2. North Africa, also introduced into South Africa.
(Under Festuca L.) Scleropoa Griseb.
Spikelets in spike-like racemes.—Species 3. North-west Africa. (Under
Festuca L.) Catapodium Link

[FAMILY 17.] CYPERACEAE

Grass-like herbs, very rarely (Schoenodendron) low trees. Stems usually triangular, rarely jointed. Leaves with a closed sheath, sometimes without a blade. Flowers in genuine or spurious spikelets arranged in spikes, heads, or panicles. Perianth much reduced or wanting. Stamens 1-6. Anthers opening by 2 longitudinal slits. Ovary superior or naked, 1-celled. Ovule 1, basal, inverted. Style simple or with 2-3 branches. Fruit a nut or a drupe. Seed free. Embryo lateral, enclosed by the albumen.—Genera 40, species 880. “Sedges.” (Plate 9.)

1. Flowers unisexual, but sometimes (Bisboeckelerieae) apparently hermaphrodite, single female flowers being surrounded by several male ones; in this case false spikelets branched at the insertion of one of the lowest bracts. 2
Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous. Flowers either in centripetal spikelets without a terminal flower or in centrifugal (false) spikelets branched at the insertion of the uppermost bract below the terminal flower. 13
2. Spikelets unisexual, rarely partly unisexual, partly bisexual; the female
1-flowered, the male 2- or more-flowered. Stamens 1-2, rarely 3.
[Tribe SCLERIEAE.] 3
Spikelets bisexual, rarely 1-flowered and spicate. 8
3. Perianth consisting of scales or bristles. Partial inflorescences panicled. 4
Perianth none. 6
4. Perianth of numerous bristles. Spikelets in spikes.—Species 6. Central
Africa to Transvaal. Eriospora Hochst.
Perianth of 2-5 scales. 5
5. Perianth of 2-3 laciniate scales. Spikelets in head-like clusters. Herbs.—Species
1. West Africa. Microdracoides Hua
Perianth of 3-5 ciliate scales. Spikelets in spikes. Small trees.—Species
1. West Africa (Cameroons). Schoenodendron Engl.
6. Female flowers in the upper portion of the partial inflorescences. Spikelets in panicles.—Species 1. Madagascar. (Under Eriospora Hochst.) Fintelmannia Kunth
Female flowers in the lower portion of the partial inflorescences or in special partial inflorescences. 7
7. Style thickened and jointed at the base, deeply 3-cleft. Fruit without a distinct disc. Spikelets in panicles. Leaves broad.—Species 3.
Tropics. (Under Scleria Berg) Acriulus Ridl.
Style not thickened at the base. Fruit very hard, surrounded by a disc at the base.—Species 60. Tropical and South Africa. (Including
Diplacrum R. Br.) Scleria Berg
8. (2.) Spikelets consisting of a terminal female flower surrounded by 3 or more male ones. Stamen 1. Female flowers not enclosed by an utricle-like
bracteole. [Tribe BISBOECKELERIEAE, Subtribe CHRYSITRICHINAE.] 9
Spikelets 1-flowered, spicate, rarely 2-flowered or consisting of a basal female flower and several male ones. Stamens usually 3. Female flowers enclosed by an utricle-like bracteole. [Tribe CARICEAE.] 11
9. Male flowers 3. Style-branches 3. Spikelets numerous, in spikes which are sometimes arranged in panicles or heads.—Species 12. Tropics. (Including
Thoracostachyum Kurz) Mapania Aubl.
Male flowers 6 or more. Spikelets in spikes arranged in heads. 10
10. Style-branches 2. Fruit not ribbed. Spikes consisting of numerous spikelets. Leaves reduced to the sheath.—Species 1. Madagascar.
Used for plaiting-work. Lepironia Rich.
Style-branches 3. Fruit many-striate. Spikes consisting of 1-4 spikelets.—Species
3. South Africa. Chrysithrix L.
11. Lateral spikelets consisting of one female flower and 1-6 male inserted above the female flower upon the distinctly developed axis of the spikelet; rarely male flowers reduced to empty glumes or wanting. Utricle usually 2-cleft.—Species 6. South and East Africa. (Including Hemicarex
Benth.) Schoenoxiphium Nees
Lateral spikelets consisting only of 1 female flower and the usually rudimentary axis. Utricle closed, entire or toothed. 12
12. Axis of the spikelet projecting beyond the utricle and hooked at the tip.—Species
2. Subantarctic islands. Uncinia Pers.
Axis of the spikelet enclosed and straight or more frequently rudimentary and usually early disappearing.—Species 80. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Carex L.
13. (1.) Spikelets (false spikelets) centrifugal, with a terminal flower, branched from the uppermost bract, 1-2-, rarely 3-6-flowered. 14
Spikelets centripetal, without a terminal flower, 3-many-, rarely 1-2-flowered; flowers hermaphrodite, a male one sometimes added. 24
14. Spikelets containing 1 terminal male flower and 1-2 lateral hermaphrodite flowers. Style dilated at the base.—Species 30. South Africa.
(Elynanthus Nees, including Macrochaetium Steud.) [Tribe GAHNIEAE.] Tetraria Beauv.
Spikelets containing only hermaphrodite flowers, a male one being sometimes added. [Tribe RHYNCHOSPOREAE.] 15
15. Glumes 2-ranked. Style-branches 3. 16
Glumes not distinctly 2-ranked. 19
16. Perianth-bristles 6, alternately unequal. Fruit crowned by the base of the style. Spikelets in heads.—Species 9. South Africa, Madagascar and
Mascarene Islands. (Under Carpha R. Br.) Asterochaete Nees
Perianth-bristles equal or wanting. 17
17. Perianth-bristles stiff, not feathery, or wanting. Fruit not beaked.—Species
6. South Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands, Abyssinia,
North Africa. (Including Epischoenus C.B. Clarke). Schoenus L.
Perianth-bristles feathery. 18
18. Perianth-bristles 3. Glumes 4-5. Style with a thickened, persistent base. Spikelets in spikes or solitary.—Species 3. South Africa.
(Ecklonea Steud.) Trianoptiles Fenzl
Perianth-bristles 6. Glumes numerous. Style slightly thickened. Spikelets in panicles.—Species 2. Madagascar and neighbouring islands.
(Under Schoenus L.) Cyclocampe Steud.
19. Style-branches 1-2. Perianth of 6 or more bristles or wanting.—Species
15. (Rynchospora Vahl). Rhynchospora Vahl
Style-branches 3. 20
20. Perianth of 3-6 bristles. 21
Perianth none. 22
21. Perianth of 3 bristles. Upper leaves with red sheaths.—Species 1. South
Africa. (Decalepis Boeck., under Tetraria Beauv.) Boeckeleria Dur.
Perianth of 5-6 bristles. Lowest flower male.—Species 6. Madagascar and South Africa. Costularia C. B. Clarke
22. Partial inflorescences arranged in a panicle.—Species 5. Cladium R. Br.
Partial inflorescences arranged in a head. 23
23. Involucre of the inflorescence short. Stem leafless.—Species 1. Madagascar and neighbouring islands. (Arthrostylis Boeck.) Actinoschoenus Benth.
Involucre of the inflorescence long. Stem leafy.—Species 1. West Africa and Madagascar. Used medicinally. Remirea Aubl.
24. (13.) Bracteoles 1-2. [Tribe HYPOLYTREAE.] 25
Bracteoles none. [Tribe SCIRPEAE.] 28
25. Bracteoles 1-2, parallel with the glume (bract), i.e. placed before or behind or before and behind it. Stamens 1-2. [Subtribe LIPOCARPHINAE.] 26
Bracteoles 2, lateral to the glume, sometimes united. Stamens 2-3.
[Subtribe HYPOLYTRINAE.] 27
26. Bracteole 1, deciduous. Stamen 1. Spikelets solitary or in clusters of 2-3, subtended by a single involucral bract.—Species 2. Central and South
Africa. (Under Scirpus L.) Hemicarpha Nees
Bracteoles 2, persistent. Stamens 1-2. Spikelets in heads surrounded by several involucral bracts.—Species 10. Tropical and South Africa.
(Hypaelyptum Vahl). Lipocarpha R. Br.
27. Bracteoles united in front, longer than the glume. Spikelets solitary or in heads. Stem leafy at the base only.—Species 9. Tropical and
South Africa. Ascolepis Nees
Bracteoles free or united behind, as long as or shorter than the glumes.
Spikelets in heads or panicles. Stem leafy throughout its length.—Species
10. Tropics. Hypolytrum Rich.
28. (22.) Glumes distinctly 2-ranked. Partial inflorescences usually arranged in heads or umbels. [Subtribe CYPERINAE.] 29
Glumes not distinctly 2-ranked. Partial inflorescences usually arranged
in spikes or panicles. [Subtribe SCIRPINAE.] 34
29. Perianth consisting of 6 bristles. Spikelets in panicles.—Species 1. Region of the great lakes. (Under Carpha R. Br.) Oreograstis K. Schum.
Perianth none. 30
30. Flowers with a toothed or lobed disc at the base of the ovary. Spikelets solitary or in heads.—Species 3. South Africa. (Under Ficinia
Schrad.) Hemichlaena Schrad.
Flowers without a disc. 31
31. Style-branches 2. Spikelets containing an hermaphrodite and sometimes also a male flower, arranged in heads.—Species 40. Tropical and South
Africa. The root-stock of some species is used in perfumery and medicine; others yield fodder. (Plate 9.) Kyllinga Rottb.
Style-branches 3, rarely 1-2, but then spikelets many-flowered. 32
32. Fertile flowers in each spikelet 1-2. Glumes with a winged keel, the lower glume enclosing the upper one. Spikelets in umbellately arranged heads.—Species 2. Tropics to Transvaal. Courtoisia Nees
Fertile flowers in each spikelet 3 or more, rarely 1-2, but then glumes not winged or the lower glume not enclosing the upper one. 33
33. Glumes with the margins united into a cylinder at their base, long acuminate at the top. Spikelets terete, 3-4-flowered, in spikes. Stamens 2.—Species
1. South-east Africa. (Under Mariscus Gaertn. or Cyperus L.) Cylindrolepis Boeck.
Glumes with free margins.—Species 300. The root-stocks of some (especially
C. esculentus L.) are eaten and used for the preparation of oil, perfume, and medicaments; the culms (especially of C. Papyrus L.) are used for making paper and for plaiting-work; some species serve as fodder- or ornamental plants, others are noxious weeds. (Including
Galilea Parl., Juncellus Griseb., Mariscus Vahl, Pycreus Beauv., and
Torulinium Desv.) Cyperus L.
34. (28.) Style conspicuously thickened at the base. 35
Style not or slightly thickened at the base. 37
35. Perianth none. Style deciduous.—Species 75. Some are used as fodder.
(Including Abildgaardia Vahl and Bulbostylis Kunth). Fimbristylis Vahl
Perianth consisting of 3-8 bristles. Base of the style usually persistent. 36
36. Spikelets in heads. Glumes in 5 rows.—Species 1. Tropics. (Under
Fuirena Rottb.) Pentasticha Turcz.
Spikelets solitary.—Species 25. Some are used for plaiting-work or yield starch. (Eleocharis R. Br.) Heleocharis R. Br.
37. Flowers with a toothed or lobed, persistent disc at the base of the ovary.
Glumes usually brown or black.—Species 65. South Africa and mountains of East Africa and Madagascar. Ficinia Schrad.
Flowers without a disc. 38
38. Perianth-bristles 6 or more, much elongated after flowering. Spikelets solitary or in umbels.—Species 1. South Africa. The cotton-like
perianth-bristles are used for stuffing cushions. “Cotton-grass.” Eriophorum L.
Perianth-bristles not elongated or wanting. 39
39. Glumes hairy, like the whole plant. Perianth of 3-6 toothed scales or bristles.—Species 20. Fuirena Rottb.
Glumes glabrous.—Species 70. Some are used as ornamental plants or for plaiting-work, others have edible root-stocks, also used in medicine.
(Including Isolepis R. Br. and Schoenoplectus Reichb.) Scirpus L.