Oreobambos

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms geniculately ascending; 450–1800 cm long; woody. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement two, or three; in an irregular line; with 1 branch dominant. Culm-sheaths without auricles. Culm-sheath blade linear. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; lanceolate, or oblong. Leaf-blade venation with obscure cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; clustered at the nodes; in oblong clusters; with spathaceous subtending bracts; with axillary buds at base of spikelet; leafless between clusters.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed, or subterete; 12–15 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; shorter than spikelet. Upper glume ovate; 0.8–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 11–18 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 11–23 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins convolute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 5–11 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 6. Stigmas 1; papillose. Ovary umbonate; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; apex umbonate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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