Bergbambos

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated; pachymorph. Culms erect; 100–500 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement many; in a horizontal line; with subequal branches; thinner than stem. Culm-sheaths persistent; without auricles. Culm-sheath blade lanceolate. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; fasciculate; with spathaceous subtending bracts; without axillary buds at base of spikelet.

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 15.4–17.4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 9 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 9–13 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins with cross-veins. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 10–11 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex acute. Palea 11 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; scarious; ciliate. Anthers 3. Stigmas 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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