Monocymbium

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect (1), or geniculately ascending (1), or decumbent, or prostrate (2); slender (1/1); 30–88.33–130 cm long; rooting from lower nodes (2/2). Ligule an eciliate membrane (2), or a ciliolate membrane (1). Leaf-blades linear (1), or lanceolate (2). Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous (1/1).

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence compound; scanty. Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary; subtended by a spatheole; enclosed. Spatheole lanceolate; membranous.

Racemes single; unilateral; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 5 fertile spikelets on each (1/2), or 6–8 fertile spikelets on each (2/2), or 9–10 fertile spikelets on each (1/2). Rhachis fragile at the nodes. Spikelet packing crowded. Rhachis internodes filiform. Rhachis internode tip oblique.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels filiform.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; separately deciduous. Companion sterile spikelet callus cuneate. Companion sterile spikelet glumes muticous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate (1), or elliptic (2), or oblong (1); dorsally compressed; 3–3.533–4 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus square (2), or oblong (1); pilose; base obtuse; attached obliquely.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; coriaceous; without keels; 8 -veined (1), or 9–10 -veined (2), or 11–15 -veined (1). Lower glume surface smooth (1), or scabrous (2); without pits; glabrous (1), or pilose (1), or villous (2). Lower glume apex truncate (1/2), or obtuse (1/2). Upper glume lanceolate (1), or elliptic (2); chartaceous (2/2); without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface smooth (1), or scabrous (2). Upper glume apex entire (1), or dentate (2); 2 -fid (2/2); acute (1/1); awned; 1 -awned.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; hyaline; 0 -veined (2), or 2 -veined (1); emarginate (1/1), or truncate (1/1). Fertile lemma linear; hyaline; without keel; wingless. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.4–0.5–0.6 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Anthers 3 (2/2).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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