Puelia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms erect; 20–60–100 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane (2), or a ciliolate membrane (1), or a ciliate membrane (1), or absent (1). Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate (1), or elliptic (4). Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence on the same culm as leaves (4), or on a separate leafless culm (1). Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open (2), or contracted (3), or capitate (1).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile (2), or pedicelled (3). Pedicels filiform (1/1).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3 basal sterile florets (2), or 4–5 basal sterile florets (3), or 6 basal sterile florets (2); 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 8–13.1–19 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus subtended by a fleshy frill.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma (4), or firmer than fertile lemma (1). Lower glume ovate (4), or cuneate (1); 0.3–0.6–0.9 length of upper glume; chartaceous (1), or herbaceous (4); without keels (4), or 1-keeled (1); 1 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (2), or 9–11 -veined (1). Lower glume lateral veins absent (1), or distinct (4). Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (2/2). Upper glume ovate; 0.25–0.42–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous (1), or herbaceous (3), or coriaceous (1); without keels (4), or 1-keeled (1); 5 -veined (1), or 7 -veined (2), or 9 -veined (2), or 10–11 -veined (1). Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; chartaceous (1), or herbaceous (3), or coriaceous (1); 9 -veined (1), or 11 -veined (4), or 12–15 -veined (1); without ribs (4), or ribbed (1); obtuse (3), or acute (3). Palea of lower sterile floret wingless (4), or winged on keels (1). Fertile florets female. Fertile lemma lanceolate (1), or elliptic (3), or ovate (1); coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 9 -veined (2), or 11 -veined (3). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (3), or pubescent (2). Lemma margins eciliate (3), or ciliolate (2). Lemma apex truncate. Palea 1 length of lemma; coriaceous; 8 -veined (2/2); without keels. Palea surface glabrous (3), or pubescent (2).

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous; glabrous (3), or ciliate (2). Anthers 6. Stigmas 3; papillose. Ovary umbonate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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