Anthoxanthum dregeanum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 20–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 12–25 cm long; 4–9 mm wide; stiff; aromatic. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; continuous, or interrupted; 4–8 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; laterally compressed; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; dissimilar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume ovate; 4.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume oblong; 6–7 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets dissimilar; male; with palea; attached to and deciduous with the fertile. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; 6 mm long; 2 length of fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 5 -veined; pubescent; lobed; 2 -fid; obtuse; awned. Awn of lower sterile floret dorsal; 3 mm long. Lemma of upper sterile floret oblong; 1 length of lower sterile floret; chartaceous; pubescent; lobed; 2 -fid; obtuse; awned. Awn of upper sterile floret dorsal; geniculate; 9–10 mm long. Fertile lemma orbicular; 3 mm long; cartilaginous; dark brown; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea oblong; 1 length of lemma; 1 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 2; 4.5 mm long. Stigmas 2; protogynous; plumose.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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