Hypseochloa

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 4–17.5–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades firm (1), or flaccid (1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 2–2.647–3.6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume elliptic; 1 length of upper glume; membranous (1), or herbaceous (1); 1-keeled; 3 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (1). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 1.2–1.35–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous (1), or herbaceous (1); with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined, or 4–5 -veined (1). Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface asperulous (1), or scaberulous (1); unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins involute; interlocking with palea keels. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; geniculate. Palea 0.8–0.85–1 length of lemma. Palea keels winged.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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