Decaryochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms scandent; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement many; in a clump; thinner than stem. Culm-sheaths auriculate. Culm-sheath blade triangular. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades oblong.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; scanty; with spathaceous subtending bracts; without axillary buds at base of spikelet.

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension, or with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 45–50 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes several; persistent; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume surface without pits. Upper glume elliptic; coriaceous; without keels; 17–21 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 17 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea tightly convolute around flower; 1 length of lemma; coriaceous; 12 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 6. Stigmas 3. Ovary umbonate; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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