Chasmopodium

HABIT Annual. Culms 200–300–400 cm long; with prop roots. Lateral branches ample. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; semiterete. Rhachis internodes cuneate. Rhachis internode tip transverse; crateriform.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels cuneate; tip rectangular.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; separately deciduous. Companion sterile spikelet glumes muticous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong (1), or ovate (1); dorsally compressed; 6–6.5–7 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus pubescent; base truncate; with central peg; attached transversely.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong (1), or ovate (1); coriaceous; 2-keeled; winged on keel; 20–35 -veined. Lower glume intercarinal veins obscure (1), or distinct (1). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex entire, or dentate; 2 -fid; obtuse. Upper glume oblong (1), or ovate (1); coriaceous; 1-keeled; winged on keel; 7–9 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong (1), or ovate (1); hyaline; 3 -veined. Fertile lemma oblong (1), or ovate (1); hyaline; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea hyaline; 2 -veined.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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