刺鳞草属 ci lin cao shu

Alepyrum Hieronymus; Devauxia R. Brown; Pseudalepyrum Dandy.

Herbs annual or perennial. Leaves radical or distichous; leaf blade linear to filiform. Inflorescence a head subtended by 2 opposite, inequilateral bracts, flowering in a centrifugal sequence. Flowers usually bisexual, 1--13, in 1 or 2 rows when several, sessile. Bracteoles 1--3 per flower, unequal, hyaline, apex erose. Carpels 3--20 per carpophore, in 1 or 2 rows, free or connate. Style 1 per carpel, free or connate at base; stigma papillose. Mature carpels dehiscing longitudinally.

About 25 species: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam; Australia, Pacific Islands (New Zealand); one species in China.

Lower Taxon

• Centrolepis banksii (R. Brown) Roemer & Schultes