Brachychloa

HABIT Annual (1), or perennial (1). Stolons absent (1), or present (1). Culms erect (1), or decumbent (1); 10–26.25–50 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; unilateral. Rhachis persistent (1), or deciduous from axis (1); angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4–4.75–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined, or 2–3 -veined (1). Lower glume lateral veins absent (1), or distinct (1). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 0.9–0.975–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3–4 -veined (1), or 5 -veined, or 6–7 -veined (1). Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined (1), or 5–7 -veined (1). Lemma midvein eciliate, or pubescent (1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins eciliate (1), or pubescent (1). Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; mucronate. Palea keels smooth (1), or scaberulous (1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; ellipsoid (1/1); isodiametric (1/1); trigonous (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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