Centotheca

HABIT Annual (1), or perennial (3). Culms erect (3/3); 30–68.12–150 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades linear (1), or lanceolate. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform (2/3), or linear (1/3).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets, or 2 fertile florets (3), or 3 fertile florets (2), or 4 fertile florets (1); with a barren rhachilla extension (2), or with diminished florets at the apex (2). Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed, or subterete; 3.32–4.602–5.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with the pedicel. Rhachilla internodes definite (3/3).

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.75–0.775–0.8 length of upper glume; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (2), or acuminate (2); muticous (2), or mucronate (2). Upper glume oblong; 0.6–0.7625–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute (2), or acuminate (2); muticous (2), or mucronate (2).

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; herbaceous; without keel; wingless; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (2), or hispid (3); with simple hairs (1/3), or reflexed hairs (2/3). Lemma apex emarginate (2), or obtuse (1), or acute (1), or apiculate (1); muticous (3), or mucronate (3). Palea 0.5 length of lemma; 2 -veined (3/3). Apical sterile florets 1 in number (2/2); barren (2/2); ovate (2/2).

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 2.

DISTRIBUTION Africa (1), or Temperate Asia (1), or Tropical Asia, or Australasia (3), or Pacific (1).

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