Trachypogon

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect (1/1); 30–81.25–200 cm long; firm (3), or wiry (1). Leaf-sheath auricles absent, or erect (1). Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform (2), or linear (3).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes single, or paired (2), or digitate (2). Rhachis subterete. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip oblique; flat.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster, or 2 in the cluster (1). Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 0 in the cluster (1), or 1 in the cluster. Pedicels linear; tip oblique.

STERILE SPIKELETS Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; persistent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 6–8.375–13 mm long; falling entire; deciduous from the base, or with accessory branch structures (1). Spikelet callus linear; bearded; base pungent; attached obliquely.

GLUMES Glumes firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; coriaceous; without keels; 1 -veined (1/3), or 7–9 -veined (2/3). Lower glume lateral veins absent (1), or distinct (3). Lower glume surface convex (3), or grooved on either side of midvein (1); without pits; glabrous (3), or pubescent (2), or pilose (1), or villous (1).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male (1), or barren (3); with palea (1), or without significant palea (3). Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; hyaline; 2 -veined (3/3); obtuse (3/3). Fertile lemma linear; hyaline; without keel; wingless; 3 -veined (3/3). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; limb glabrous (3), or puberulous (1). Column of lemma awn pubescent (1), or hirsute (1), or plumose (2). Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Anthers 3 (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa (2), or North America (1), or South America (3).

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