Brachyachne obtusiflora

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 10–20 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 1–4 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 3–6 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 2.2–2.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; with lower wider than upper; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; parallel to lemmas. Lower glume oblong; 2.2–2.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; cartilaginous; yellow; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 2.2–2.5 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; cartilaginous; yellow; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 1 mm long; hyaline; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate; hairy below. Lemma margins ciliate; hairy below. Lemma apex emarginate. Palea hyaline; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate; ciliate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.7–0.8 mm long; purple.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical, west-central tropical, northeast tropical, and southern tropical.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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