Richardsiella

HABIT Annual. Culms 7–18 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; spreading; unilateral. Central inflorescence axis tip filiform. Rhachis flattened; terminating in a barren extension; extension bristle-like.

Spikelets spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–12 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 1.6–2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Spikelet callus bearded. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; reaching apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate; mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume apex acuminate; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; hyaline; keeled; wingless; 1 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex obtuse; mucronate. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp. Embryo 0.5 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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