Andropterum

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 30–80 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary.

Racemes single. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; semiterete. Rhachis internodes cuneate. Rhachis internode tip transverse; cupuliform.

Spikelets squeezed between internode and pedicel; in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels cuneate.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; deciduous with the fertile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–8 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus pilose; base obtuse; inserted.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; cartilaginous; 2-keeled. Lower glume intercarinal veins absent. Lower glume surface deeply depressed; without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; cartilaginous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex truncate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; hyaline; 3 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; hyaline; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.33 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate. Palea hyaline; 2 -veined.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.