SPIKELET AND FLORET NAMING SCHEME FOR GRASSES WITH A SPIKE INFLORESCENCE

Effective schemes to name uniquely and define parts of grass plants al low researchers to communicate results of their experiments accurately and precisely. Naming schemes for vegetative parts of grass plants ha ve been developed; however, no system exists to name uniquely parts of the inflorescence. In this report, we present a method to extend exis ting systems to name parts of grass spikes. Spikelet positions are den oted by the letter S and numbered acropetally along the rachis. For ex ample, the third spikelet position from the base of the rachis is name d S3. Likewise, floret positions along the rachilla are named F (or C after fertilization) and numbered acropetally from the base to tip. Th e second caryopsis (floret) in the spikelet at the third spikelet posi tion on a spike would be named S3C2. This simple scheme, when combined with the system for naming tiller, leaves, and roots, will allow all plant parts to be named uniquely. If the caryopsis in the previous exa mple was produced on the tiller formed in the axil of the first leaf o n the main stem, the complete description of the caryopsis is T1S3C2. Using this system, researchers and practitioners can communicate preci sely findings on development, growth, and functional characteristics o f plants and plant parts.