Chaetopoa

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending; 15–31.25–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform. Panicle axis bearing deciduous spikelet clusters.

Spikelets subtended by an involucre. Fertile spikelets sessile (1), or pedicelled (1); 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 6–8 in the cluster. Involucre composed of imperfect spikelets. Pedicels linear.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; deciduous with the fertile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.5–3.5–4.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure, or two (1); shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume subulate (1/1). Lower glume surface without pits (1/1). Upper glume subulate (1), or oblong (1); membranous (1/1); without keels (1/1); 1 -veined (1/1). Upper glume apex acute (1/1).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate (1), or oblong (1); membranous; 5 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (1); acute (1), or acuminate (1); muticous (1), or awned (1). Fertile lemma elliptic; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins covering most of palea. Lemma apex acuminate; muticous (1), or awned (1); 1 -awned (1/1). Palea chartaceous; without keels.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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