Sp. PI.: 61 (1753) ; Gram. Afr. Trop. 1: 190 (1962) ; Gen. Gram.: 134 (1986).
- Type-species: Agrostis stolonifera Linn.
Vilfa Adans., Fam. Pl. 2 : 495 (1763).- Type-species : V. alba (Linn.) P. Beauv. = Poa nemoralis Linn.
Description:
* Rhizomatous, stoloniferous or caespitose annuals or perennials. Culms herbaceous, erect or decumbent. Leaves linear to subulate, flat or rolled; ligule an unfringed truncate membrane.
* Inflorescence in a diffuse or contracted panicle, usually much divided, rarely spike-like; spikelets numerous, pedicellate.
* Spikelets uniflorous, linear-lanceolate to oblong, small, laterally compressed, often gaping and with the rhachilla prolonged beyond the floret. Glumes persistent (rarely the spikelet falling entire), subequal and usually equalling to exceeding the lemma, mostly lanceolate and acute to acuminate, membranous, often shining, 1(-3)-nerved. Lemma oblong to elliptic, truncate or denticulate, thin, (3-)5-nerved with the nerves often excurrent into mucros, awnless or awned from the back; callus small, obtuse, glabrous or pubescent (rarely bearded); palea slightly shorter than the lemma, 2-veined. Stamens 3; stigmas 2, white. Caryopsis small, often longitudinally grooved, compressed dorsiventrally.
A genus of about 220 species, worldwide, mainly in temperate and cold regions, especially in the northern hemisphere.
From the Greek agrostis (a forage plant, a kind of grass), cf. agros (a field).