Cyphochlaena

HABIT Annual. Culms decumbent (1), or prostrate (1); 10–40.5–60 cm long. Lateral branches ample (1/1). Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate (1), or oblong (1), or ovate (1). Leaf-blade venation with obscure cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; erect (1), or ascending; unilateral. Rhachis angular.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels oblong.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets represented by single glumes, or rudimentary, or well-developed; separately deciduous. Companion sterile spikelet glumes awned (1/1).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 1.3–1.925–2.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear (1), or ovate (1); membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (1), or attenuate (1); awned. Upper glume lanceolate (1), or oblong (1), or ovate (1); indurate; 1-keeled; 3 -veined (1/1). Upper glume apex obtuse (1), or acute (1).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male, or barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblate; indurate; acute (1/1). Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; not gibbous (1), or gibbous (1); hyaline; keeled; wingless; 0 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Palea hyaline; 3 -veined (1/1); without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3 (1/1).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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