Harpochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–75–120 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform (1), or linear (1); herbaceous (1), or coriaceous (1); stiff (1), or firm (1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf (1).

Racemes single; unilateral. Rhachis semiterete; terminating in a barren extension; extension subulate. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets pectinate; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate (1), or oblong (1); laterally compressed; 6–7.25–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes lower persistent, upper deciduous; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma (1), or similar to fertile lemma in texture (1); parallel to lemmas (1), or gaping (1). Lower glume ovate; 0.5–0.6025–0.75 length of upper glume; hyaline (1), or membranous (1); without keels (1), or 1-keeled (1); 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline (1), or membranous (1); 1-keeled; 1 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (1). Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong (1), or ovate (1); laterally compressed; membranous (1), or chartaceous (1); keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex emarginate. Palea 0.8–0.85–0.9 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets 2 in number; male (1), or barren; separate (1), or in a clump (1); cuneate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid (1/1); isodiametric (1/1); trigonous (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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