Craspedorhachis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (2), or short (1). Culms erect (1/1); 50–80.83–120 cm long; firm (2), or wiry (1). Ligule a ciliolate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes digitate; unilateral. Rhachis wingless (1), or narrowly winged (2); flattened.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 2–2.866–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes lower persistent, upper deciduous; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong (1), or ovate (2); dorsally compressed; hyaline; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (1), or pubescent (2); hairy on back (1/2), or on veins (1/2). Lemma apex obtuse. Palea hyaline. Palea keels eciliate (1), or ciliolate (2).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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