Chloris filiformis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Stolons absent, or present. Basal innovations flabellate. Culms 10–30 cm long. Leaf-sheaths keeled; glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 1–6 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1–2; single, or paired; erect; unilateral; 1–3 cm long. Rhachis subterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 2.6–2.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.7–2 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–2.8 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; 2.6–2.8 mm long; cartilaginous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 1–1.2 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; lanceolate; 1.3–2 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas pubescent; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns 0.5–1.1 mm long; 1 per spikelet in number.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; dorsally compressed; trigonous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Anderson.

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