Brachystachyum Keng

Abstract

Shrubby bamboos. Rhizomes monopodium or amphipodium. Culms diffuse, erect; internodes terete or a little flat at the bottom of the branching side; culm nodes prominent. Branches 3 on each node or 3–5 branches on the upper nodes. Culm sheaths deciduous, thickly papery, shorter than internodes; auricles developed, oral setae flexuous; ligules a little arched; blades spreading, deciduous. Several leaves per branchlet; auricles tiny, oral setae present; ligules short; leaf blades lanceolate to oblong lanceolate, transverse veins conspicuous. Internodes of flowering branches extremely shortened, short spiciform or capitate, singular on nodes of branchlets with leaves, pseudospikelets 2–8, subtended by 1 prophyll and several bracts gradually larger upward, the upper bracts spathe-shaped; spathe-shaped bracts 2–4, 1–3 pseudospikelets within each bract; florets 5–7; glumes 1–3, when glumes 3, the first one scale-like, vein 1, the others lemma-like, but a little shorter; lemma with several veins, apex acute, transverse veins inconspicuous; palea 2- keeled, apex bifid; lodicules 3, seldom 4, nearly equal in size, the back one narrower, lanceolate, the front 2 (3) obovate or spathulate, the base with veins, densely tomense abaxially, margins ciliate; stamens 3, filaments free; style 1, long, stigmas 3, slender, plumose. Caryopses. New shoots May to June. Flowering March to May.