Chaetobromus

HABIT Perennial. Stolons absent, or present. Culms geniculately ascending; 8–60 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–6 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 9–18 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus linear; bearded; base truncate. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus elongated; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 5–10 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; cartilaginous; without keel; wingless; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pubescent. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.3 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate. Lateral lemma awns shorter than principal. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear; 0.8–0.9 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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