Alopecurus baptarrhenius

HABIT Annual, or perennial; short-lived. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 10–30 cm long. Leaf-sheaths loose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–6 mm long; acute. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 5–10 cm long; 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or oblong; 2.5–4.5 cm long. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets on axis. Panicle axis with rounded ribs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3–4.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes connate along margins below; similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume oblong; 3–4.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner above; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume hairs 0.5 mm long. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 3–4.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; much thinner above; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume hairs 0.5 mm long. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3–4.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 4 -veined. Lemma margins connate below; with 0.33–0.5 of their length connate. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.33–0.5 way up back of lemma; straight; 3 mm long overall; clearly exserted from spikelet (1–1.6mm). Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3; 1.3–2 mm long; orange. Stigmas protogynous; terminally exserted; pubescent. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform. Disseminule comprising a spikelet.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Eth 1997.

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