Desmostachya

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 50–100 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades coriaceous; stiff.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; in a multilateral false spike; spreading; oblong; unilateral. Rhachis semiterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded.

Spikelets spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–18 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.5–13 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.5 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 ovate; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Palea apex entire. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; entire; emarginate. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; trigonous. Embryo 0.3–0.4 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa, or Temperate Asia, or Tropical Asia.

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