Technical Notes: The grass spikelet formula: an aid in teaching and identification

Abstract

The structure and arrangement of the grass spikelet may be summarized by use of a spikelet formula. The parts of the formula are stacked vertically to correspond to the parts of the grass spikelet. Nerves and numbers of parts are indicated by super- and subscripts. Spikelet formulae may be a useful teaching tool, as well as a convenient field notation.