P.K. Latz, Fimbristylis 
175 
b. Nut rounded, style generally greater than 1 .3 mm long, 
glumes minutely ciliolate on upper margins F. rara 
37a. Style glabrous 38 
b. Style hairy (sometimes only at base) 57 
38a. Style either less than 1 mm long or glumes less than 1.9 mm long, 
or both (F. cymosa, F. littoralis and F. rupeslris are often 
intermediate and key both ways) 39 
b. Style greater than 1 mm long, glumes greater than 1.9 mm long 46 
39a. Perennial with stiff leaves F. cymosa 
b. Annuals with soft leaves 40 
40a. Spikelets sub-globular, leaves equitant or spongy 4 1 
b. Spikelets acute and ragged, leaves flat or absent 42 
41a. Stamens 3, nut obovate, glume fringes ciliolate at apex F.rara 
b. Stamens 1-2, nut clavate, glume fringes glabrous F. littoralis 
42a. Inflorescence simple with less than 7 spikelets, 
nut epidermal cells isodiametric 8. F. rupestris 
b. Inflorescence compound with more than 7 spikelets, 
nut epidermal cells transversely linear 43 
43a. Ligule present, nerves on leaves several, not raised or thickened F. microcarya 
b. Ligule absent, leaves with prominenL mid-rib and rib-like margins 44 
44a. Underside of leaves ciliate (especially in lower part), 
glume fringes ciliolate at apex 45 
b. Underside of leaves glabrous, glumes glabrous F . miliacea 
45a. Fertile glumes mucronate with narrow hyaline margin, 
stems less than 1 mm wide F. elegans 
b. Fertile glumes obtuse with wide hyaline margins, 
stems more than 1 mm wide F. trachycarya 
46a. Perennials with stiff leaves 47 
b. Annuals with soft leaves 50 
47a. Ligule present, stems flattened 2-3 mm wide F. complanata 
b. Ligule absent, stems rounded or angled 48 
48a. Glumes greater than 2.8 mm long, spikelets sub-distichous, 
greater than 2 mm wide F . eragrostis 
b. Glumes less than 2.8 mm long, spikelets spirally arranged, 
less than 2 mm wide 49 
49a. Glumes with 0.4 mm long awn f . sp. D 
b. Glumes obtuse f. cymosa 
