Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Urochloa P.Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 52 (1812)
 Description

Annuals or perennials. Ligule a membranous shortly ciliate rim. Culm erect or decumbent, simple or sparingly branched. Inflorescence a panicle of racemes along a common rachis; branches appressed or spreading, terminating in a spikelet. Spikelets secund, ± appressed to rachis adaxially or abaxially, terete or dorsiventrally compressed, solitary, paired or clustered, 2-flowered; disarticulation below glumes; lower floret Ø, ♂, sometimes ☿, upper floret ☿. Lower glume nerveless, upper ≈ spikelet, 5-nerved. Lower floret: lemma 5–7-nerved, membranous to chartaceous, muticous; palea present or 0. Upper floret: lemma ≈ lemma of lower floret, chartaceous to cartilaginous, dull, rugose, margins incurved and clasping palea, apex muticous to mucronate; palea 2-nerved, similar to lemma in texture; lodicules 2, cuneate, truncate; stamens 3; ovary apex glabrous, styles free to base, stigmas plumose; caryopsis ovoid to ellipsoid, dorsiventrally compressed, embryo ½-¾ length of caryopsis, hilum subbasal, punctiform, elliptic or linear.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Urochloa P.Beauv.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised1
Exotic: Casual2
Total3
 Bibliography
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Palisot de Beauvois, A.M.F.J. 1812: Essai d'une Nouvelle Agrostographie. Paris.