Leptagrostis

HABIT Perennial. Culms 15.2–26 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.5–0.6 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; membranous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.15 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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