Flashcards on Grass Morphology and Species Identification

Grass Morphology & Species Identification Guide for Students

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What is the general growth habit of the Brachiaria genus as described in the content?

Perennial; caespitose (tufted). Some species have stolons (e.g., B. humidicola), and culms can be ascending, decumbent, or erect depending on the spec

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Brachiaria

17 cards

Card 1

Question: What is the general growth habit of the Brachiaria genus as described in the content?

Answer: Perennial; caespitose (tufted). Some species have stolons (e.g., B. humidicola), and culms can be ascending, decumbent, or erect depending on the spec

Card 2

Question: What type of ligule do the mentioned Brachiaria species have?

Answer: A fringe of hairs (a ligule in the form of a fringe of hairs).

Card 3

Question: Describe the leaves (leaf blades) of Brachiaria in the described species.

Answer: Linear or lanceolate; lengths between approximately 4–30 cm and widths 3–10(–30) mm, depending on the species.

Card 4

Question: Describe the typical Brachiaria inflorescence according to the text.

Answer: An inflorescence composed of lateral spikes (racemes). Several (e.g., 2–12) racemes attached to a central axis, unilateral, and 1–8 cm long; central a

Card 5

Question: How are the spikelets packed and arranged in Brachiaria?

Answer: Adaxial packing; in two rows (2-rowed). The spikelets are solitary, and the fertile spikelets are sessile.

Card 6

Question: What is the composition of the fertile spikelets in Brachiaria?

Answer: Each spikelet comprises 1 fertile floret and 1 basal sterile floret; without rachilla extension.

Card 7

Question: Describe the general morphology of Brachiaria spikelets.

Answer: Elliptic, dorsally compressed, slightly compressed; 4–6 mm long (4–5 or 4–6 mm depending on the species); falling entire; callus square; rachilla with

Card 8

Question: What are the characteristics of the glumes in Brachiaria?

Answer: They can be dissimilar or similar depending on the species, reaching the apex of the florets, thinner than the fertile lemma, membranous, and unkeeled

Card 9

Question: Characteristics of the lower glume in the described species: shape, proportion, and surface.

Answer: Ovate or oblong shape; length between 0.33–1 of the spikelet (depending on the species); membranous; unkeeled; venation 9–11 veins in some cases; surf

Card 10

Question: Characteristics of the upper glume according to the content.

Answer: Oblong, equal to the length of the spikelet, membranous, unkeeled; 5–9 veins; surface pubescent or glabrous; apex obtuse or acute; in some cases with