Phalaris L.

Annuals or perennials. Leaf-sheath rounded. Ligule conspicuous, membranous, glabrous, oblong. Leaf-blade flat. Culm internodes glabrous. Panicle dense, stiff, spike-like, ovoid to cylindric or sometimes ± lobed with branches spreading at maturity. Spikelets shortly pedicelled, strongly compressed laterally, usually with 3 florets, the lower (1)–2 usually Ø or ♂, the upper ☿, or spikelets sometimes entirely ♂ or Ø; disarticulation above glumes; rachilla not or obscurely prolonged. Glumes subequal and equalling spikelet, laterally compressed, flat, > lemmas and enclosing them, chartaceous, 3–5-nerved, often light green with darker green bands along nerves, keeled, keel often winged. Lemmas of Ø florets small, linear to lanceolate, membranous, 1-nerved, hardened towards base, sometimes scale-like, epaleate; lemma of ☿ floret 5-nerved, keeled, ovate, acute, awnless, becoming crustaceous and shining. Palea of ☿ floret similar in texture to lemma, slightly smaller, nerves 2, close together, internerve minutely hairy. Lodicules 2, hyaline. Stamens 3. Ovary glabrous; styles connate at base, elongated; stigmas plumose. Caryopsis laterally compressed, ovate; embryo c. ¼ length of caryopsis; hilum oblong, short; endosperm solid. Chasmogamous.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]