Cladoraphis

HABIT Perennial. Culms 20–38.75–60 cm long; woody. Leaves with blades commonly suppressed, transferring photosynthetic function to sheath and culm. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades linear, or triangular. Leaf-blade apex muticous (1), or pungent (1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; ascending (1), or spreading (1), or deflexed (1); linear (1), or oblong (1), or ovate (1); unilateral (1), or multilateral (1). Central inflorescence axis woody; tip spinose. Rhachis flattened (1), or angular (1); terminating in a spikelet (1), or barren extension (1); extension subulate (1/1). Spikelet packing crowded (1), or lax (1).

Spikelets ascending (1), or deflexed (1); solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets (1), or 6–8 fertile florets, or 9–12 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–8–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.8 length of upper glume; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; membranous (1), or coriaceous (1); keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels smooth (1), or scaberulous (1); eciliate (1), or ciliolate (1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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