Megastachya

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or decumbent; 40–95–170 cm long; rooting from lower nodes (1/1). Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 8–14 fertile florets, or 15–20 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–10.25–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent (1), or deciduous (1); shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.75–0.775–0.8 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume ovate; 0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse; muticous, or mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; chartaceous; of similar consistency on margins (1), or much thinner on margins (1); keeled; wingless; 7 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex emarginate, or obtuse (1); muticous, or mucronate (1). Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; trigonous (1/1). Embryo 0.3 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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