Apochiton

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 20–90 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform, or linear.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate; mucronate, or awned. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.1–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate; mucronate, or awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pubescent. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Palea 0.5–0.7 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Palea apex dentate; awned. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; entire; emarginate. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; ellipsoid; isodiametric; trigonous. Embryo 0.3–0.4 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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