Pogononeura

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending; 28–70 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; unilateral. Rhachis angular.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes lower persistent, upper deciduous; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.8–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; membranous; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; dorsally compressed; plano-convex.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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