Megaloprotachne

HABIT Annual. Culms 15–100 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes digitate; unilateral. Rhachis angular.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 2 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; gibbous; 3–4.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 1.2 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume elliptic; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; membranous; 5 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma ovate; cartilaginous; much thinner on margins; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma surface striate; unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins covering most of palea. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea cartilaginous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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