Nit Grass

Description

Gastridium is a small but widespread genus of African and Eurasian plants in the grass family.These grasses are sometimes called nit grass. They are annual plants. Sheets with free margins; ligule obtusa, toothed, ribbed, membranous; limbo flat. Inflorescence in panicle generally dense. Spikelets with 1 hermaphrodite flower, articulated with the rhachilla. Glumes longer than the flower, unequal, acute or acuminate, sometimes sickle-shaped, uninvaded, ventruded, more or less scabrous at the apex. Rhachilla slightly prolonged above the flower, shaggy. Motto with 5 nerves and 4 teeth or apical mushrooms, mutico or aristada, membranous. Rounded callus. Dorsal ridges more or less geniculate. Palea as long as the motto, with 2 nerves, bidentate. Whole Lodicules Ovary ellipsoid, glabrous. Cariopsis ridged. Punctate thread.