Styppeiochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 10–41.66–70 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; stiff (1), or firm (2). Leaf-blade apex muticous (1), or pungent (2).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets (1), or 5–6 fertile florets (2); without rhachilla extension (1), or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 5–7.216–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75–0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute (1), or acuminate; muticous (1), or awned (2). Upper glume lanceolate (1), or ovate (2); 0.5–0.8583–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined, or 2–3 -veined (2). Upper glume apex acuminate; muticous (1), or awned (2); 1 -awned (2/2).

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined (2/2), or 4–5 -veined (1/2). Lemma midvein eciliate (2), or ciliate (1). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins eciliate (2), or ciliate (1). Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined (2/2). Palea apex muticous (1), or with excurrent keel veins (2). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2 (2/2); fleshy (2/2).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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