Holcus L.

Tufted to long-rhizomatous perennials or tufted annuals. Leaf-sheath rounded. Ligule membranous. Leaf-blade flat. Panicle moderately dense. Spikelets 2–(3)-flowered, ± laterally compressed, falling entire at maturity, lower floret ☿ and usually raised on a curved rachilla, upper floret(s) usually ♂, sometimes ☿; rachilla often shortly prolonged. Glumes subequal, thinly chartaceous, ± enclosing florets, keeled from tip to midpoint or below, rarely awned; lower 1-nerved, upper 3-nerved. Lemma often polished cartilaginous, rounded, or keeled above, indistinctly 3–5-nerved, obtuse to bidentate; lemma of lower floret usually awnless, lemma of upper floret with geniculate or hooked or straight dorsal awn from upper ⅓. Palea membranous, ≤ lemma, 2-keeled. Callus hairy or glabrous. Lodicules membranous, glabrous, sometimes denticulate. Ovary apex glabrous; styles free. Caryopsis laterally compressed, rarely grooved; embryo small; hilum punctiform to shortly elliptic, rarely linear; endosperm liquid or solid.

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