Oldeania

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms erect; 200–1950 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement three, or several; in an irregular line; with subequal branches. Culm-sheaths auriculate. Culm-sheath blade linear. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; lanceolate. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; 15–40 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.8 length of upper glume; herbaceous; without keels; 5–9 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; without keels; 5–9 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; herbaceous; without keel; wingless; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous, or puberulous. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; membranous; ciliate. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2–3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; apex unappendaged. Embryo 0.2 length of caryopsis. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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