Agropyropsis lolium

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations flabellate. Culms erect; 20–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 2–17 cm long; 2–5 mm wide; coriaceous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 8–26 cm long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; semiterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.5–7 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures; readily shedding fertile florets. Rhachilla internodes 1–1.7 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; similar; shorter than spikelet; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 4.5–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 4.5–7 mm long; 1–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile florets with the lowest dissimilar (1–3 veined). Fertile lemma elliptic; 4.5–5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; dorsally compressed; 2–3 mm long. Hilum elliptic. Disseminule comprising a floret.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: north.

NOTES Hainardieae. WDC.

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