Microcalamus

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 15–60 cm long; wiry. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or ovate. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary, or in pairs, or in threes. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 1–3 in the cluster; subequal.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 6–8 mm long; falling entire. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.4–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male, or barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 0.9 length of fertile lemma; chartaceous; 7 -veined; acuminate. Fertile lemma lanceolate; laterally compressed; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous, or pubescent. Lemma margins involute; ciliolate. Lemma apex acute; with a little green crest. Palea coriaceous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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