Cathariostachys

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated; pachymorph. Culms erect, or arching (1), or leaning (1); 700–1100–1500 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement several, or many; apparently arising below the node; with 1 branch dominant. Culm-sheaths persistent; auriculate (1/1). Culm-sheath blade ovate (1/1), or triangular (1/1). Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; globose; with glumaceous subtending bracts; without axillary buds at base of spikelet.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 13–18.5–22 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes several; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 3–5 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (1). Lower glume surface without pits; glabrous, or puberulous (1). Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume elliptic; 7 -veined (1), or 11–13 -veined (1). Upper glume surface glabrous (1), or pubescent. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; wingless; 13–15 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (1), or pilose. Lemma apex attenuate. Palea tightly convolute around flower; 8 -veined (1), or 14–16 -veined (1). Palea surface pilose. Palea apex dentate.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 6. Stigmas 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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