Bromuniola

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect, or decumbent; 60–120 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 3–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume ovate; 0.9–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins with cross-veins. Upper glume apex acute; muticous, or mucronate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; membranous; 7 -veined; acute; mucronate. Fertile lemma ovate; membranous; much thinner on margins; keeled; wingless; 7 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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