Crypsis

Crypsis is a genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the Poaceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean region to northern China.

Description

They are annual plants. It has a dense, capituliform, or spiciform panicle inflorescence, frequently covered at the base by the sheath of 1 or more upper leaves. Spikelets very compressed laterally, with 1 single hermaphroditic flower, articulated above or below the glumes. Glumes subequal, shorter than the flower, uninervated. Lemma membranous, uninervated, mutic. Palea with 1-2 inconspicuous veins, rounded or with 1 keel. Lodicules generally absent. Androecium with 2 or 3 stamens. Obovoid or oblongoid caryopsis, with embryo almost the same length; pericarp not welded to the seed. Rounded thread.

Taxonomy

The genus was described by William Aiton and published in Hortus Kewensis; or, a catalogue... 1: 48. 1789. The type species is: Crypsis aculeata

Etymology

The name of the genus derives from the Greek kryptos = (hidden, concealed), referring to the hidden part of the inflorescence.

Cytology

The basic chromosome number of the genus is x = 8 and 9, with somatic chromosome numbers of 2n = 16, 18, 32, 36 and 54, since there are diploid species and a polyploid series. Relatively "small" chromosomes.

Species

• Crypsis aculeata
• Crypsis acuminata
• Crypsis alopecuroids
• Crypsis factorovskyi
• Crypsis hadjikyriakou
• Crypsis minuartioides
• Crypsis schoenoides
• Crypsis turkestanica
• Crypsis vaginiflora