The following description has been extracted from Clayton & Renvoize (1986). Annuals or perennials. Inflorescence axillary, consisting of 2 racemes separated by a prophyll. One raceme is sessile and female, the other pedunculate and male; both are subtended by a spherical or elongated bony utricle. The female raceme is enclosed within the utricle and consists of 1 sessile spikelet and 2 pedicels; sessile spikelet female with membranous glumes and lower floret reduced to a lemma; pedicels free, stout. Male raceme projects from the mouth of the utricle; spikelets in pairs or triplets with free pedicels; lower glume chartaceous, laterally winged; both florets usually male. Worldwide: 5 species in tropical Asia Malawi: 1 taxon. |
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