Class
Order
Family
Classification
Subordinate Taxa
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Microlaena R.Br. (1810) – as Microlæna
Synonymy:
- = Diplax Sol. ex Benn. (1838)
Vernacular Name(s):
Rice grass
Description
Rhizomatous, caespitose or scrambling perennial, branching at nodes. Branching extravaginal. Auricles 0–1–2, fringed with long cushion-based hairs. Spikelets laterally compressed, solitary, pedicelled, in open laxly branched panicles or slender racemes, falling entire from above persistent, unequal, 1–3-nerved, glumes; 3-flowered, 2 lower reduced to unequal, awned, scabrid or glabrous, indurated, 3–7-nerved, Ø lemmas, the lowermost always with a bearded callus. ☿ floret < Ø lemma, chasmogamous or cleistogamous; lemma prickle-toothed at apex otherwise glabrous, keeled, 3–5-nerved, shortly awned, mucronate or awnless. Palea membranous, 1-nerved, ≤ lemma, often enfolded by upper Ø lemma. Lodicules 2, membranous, entire or lobed, strongly nerved, sometimes hairy on margins, 0 in cleistogamous flowers. Stamens 1–4; anthers tailed, much reduced in cleistogamous flowers. Styles free; stigmata plumose, naked below or branches to base. Caryopsis free, linear, compressed; embryo ± ⅙ of caryopsis; hilum linear = caryopsis. Axillary, single-spikeleted cleistogenes occur in and . Fig. 2.
[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]
Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Indigenous (Endemic) | 2 |
| Indigenous (Non-endemic) | 2 |
| Total | 4 |
Bibliography
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
