81. Holcus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 1047. 1753.
绒毛草属 rong mao cao shu
Authors: Zhen-lan Wu & Sylvia M. Phillips
Sorgum Adanson (1763), not Sorghum Moench (1794).
Annuals or perennials. Leaf blades flat. Inflorescence a moderately to densely contracted panicle. Spikelets laterally compressed, disarticulating below glumes, florets 2, lower floret bisexual, upper floret staminate; rachilla usually curved and hooked below bisexual floret, often shortly extended above staminate floret; glumes subequal, papery, enclosing florets, strongly keeled, lower glume 1-veined, upper glume 3-veined; lemmas cartilaginous, shiny, rounded on back, veins indistinct, apex obtuse or 2-toothed, upper lemma or both awned; awn arising from upper 1/3 of lemma back, geniculate, hooked or straight; palea slightly shorter than lemma, membranous.
Eight species: N Africa, SW Asia, Europe; one species (introduced) in China.
