The Genus Manisuris L. (Poaceae) in India

Abstract

The genus Manisuris L. belongs to the subtribe Rottboellineae, tribe Andropogoneae of the sub-family Panicoideae. The genus Manisuris L. is represented in India by nine species and three varieties. The description of the genus Manisuris L. and a key to all the twelve taxa is given.

The structure formed by the fusion of the internode of the rhachis (i.e. joint) and the pedicel of pedicelled spikelet is a very useful character and a key to the Indian species based only on this character as been provided. Critical notes on nomenclature and identity are given.

A detailed description of M. forficulata & Fischer emend. Jain has been given. Two new combinations have been made, viz. M. acuminata (Hack.) O. Kuntze var. stocksii (Hook. f.) Jain and M. divergens (Hack ) O. Kuntze var. hirsuta (Fischer) Jain.

All the taxa of the genus found in Indii are endemic to India. It has been suggested that the genus Manisuris L. might have originated in peninsular India.

Diagnostic characters such as the lower glume of the sessile spikelet and the joints and pedicels of all the twelve taxa are illustrated by line drawings.