Geochloa

HABIT Perennial. Culms 20–39.56–70 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

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

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets (1), or 4–5 fertile florets, or 6–7 fertile florets (2); with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 7–14.66–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus evident; pubescent (2), or pilose (1).

GLUMES Glumes persistent; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1–2 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (2), or 4 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (2), or 6–7 -veined (1). Lower glume surface without pits; glabrous, or pubescent (1). Lower glume apex obtuse (1), or acuminate (2). Upper glume lanceolate; 1.2–1.4–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1–2 -veined (1), or 3 -veined (2), or 4 -veined (1), or 5 -veined (2), or 6–7 -veined (1). Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent (1). Upper glume apex obtuse (1), or acuminate (1), or attenuate (1).

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 9 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pubescent; with a transverse row of hair tufts (1), or with a transverse fringe of hair (2). Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.5 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned (2), or 3 -awned (2). Principal lemma awn from a sinus; straight (1), or geniculate (2). Palea keels pubescent (2), or ciliolate (1). Palea surface pubescent (1), or pilose. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous (2), or fleshy (1); ciliate. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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