Chloris

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  C. gayana

  1a. Second lemma of spikelet pointed at the apex, not widened distally; plants perennial, 10–15 (–30) dm tall, usually producing stolons
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  1b. Second lemma of spikelet ± truncate at the apex, sometimes widened distally; plants annual or perennial, 1.4–6 (–10) dm tall, not stoloniferous (rarely stoloniferous in C. virgata)
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    C. virgata

    2a. Plants annual; leaf blades 3–6 (–15) mm wide; ligules up to 4 mm long; spikelets with a lower bisexual floret and 1 or 2 sterile, apical florets, the third floret often represented by only a rachilla segment
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    2b. Plants perennial; leaf blades 2–4 mm wide; ligules 0.7–1.3 mm long; spikelets with a lower bisexual floret and an upper sterile floret, without a third floret or its rachilla segment
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      C. cucullata

      3a. Upper glumes 1–1.5 mm long; lemma of upper floret unawned or with an excurrent midrib up to 1.5 mm long; panicle branches arranged in several, closely spaced whorls
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      C. verticillata

      3b. Upper glumes 2.8–3.5 mm long; lemma of upper floret with a prolonged awn 3.2–7 mm long; panicle branches arranged in well-separated whorls with a terminal, solitary, erect branch

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