Helictochloa Romero Zarco (Poaceae), a new genus of oat grass

ROMERO-ZARCO, C. (2011). Helictochloa Romero Zarco (Poaceae), a new genus of oat grass. Candollea 66: 87-103. In English, English and French abstracts. Morphological and anatomical characters used to separate the genera related to Avena L. (Poaceae: Aveneae) are analyzed. The taxonomic importance of these characters is discussed with regard to recent molecular studies. Six genera of perennial oats are recognized: Arrhenatherum P. Beauv., Pseudarrhenatherum Rouy Helictotrichon Besser, Avenula (Dumort.) Dumort., Tricholemma (Roser) Roser and Helictochloa Romero Zarco (described here) is accepted. New combinations for the species included in Helictochloa are proposed. A key to Avena related genera from the Mediterranean region is given.