Orthoclada

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (1), or elongated (1). Culms erect (1/1), or decumbent (1/1); 50–107.5–180 cm long; rooting from lower nodes (1/1). Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a false petiole. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or oblong. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open. Primary panicle branches not whorled (1), or whorled at most nodes (1).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets (1), or 2 fertile florets, or 3–4 fertile florets (1); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate (1), or oblong (1); laterally compressed; 8–9.5–12 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface asperulous; without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic (1), or ovate (1); herbaceous; keeled; wingless; 5–7 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex obtuse (1), or acuminate (1). Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; linear.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 2–3 (1).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Embryo 0.25 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa (1), or South America (1).

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