Cymbopogon exsertus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 50–100 cm long. Culm-internodes terete; smooth; distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long; membranous; obtuse. Leaf-blades 50–100 cm long; 4–8 mm wide; aromatic. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence compound; linear; 15–35 cm long; lax. Inflorescence composed of racemes; terminal and axillary; subtended by a spatheole; exserted. Spatheole elliptic; 1.5–2.6 cm long; red.

Racemes 2; paired; ascending; 1.3–2.5 cm long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; semiterete. Rhachis internodes linear; 3 mm long. Rhachis internode tip transverse; cupuliform. Raceme-bases flattened; unequal (the longer measured); pubescent.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1 in the cluster. Companion sterile spikelets pedicelled; 1 in the cluster. Pedicels linear; semiterete; 2.5 mm long; tip widened.

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets well-developed; 2 in number (lower raceme); 0 in upper raceme; with normal internodes; sessile and pedicelled. Basal sterile spikelet pedicels free; linear. Basal sterile spikelets male; equalling fertile. Basal sterile spikelet lower glume muticous.

Companion sterile spikelets well-developed; male; elliptic; 3 mm long; shorter than fertile; deciduous with the fertile. Companion sterile spikelet glumes chartaceous; 9 -veined; smooth; glabrous; acute; muticous. Companion sterile spikelet lemmas 2; enclosed by glumes.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus pubescent; base obtuse; inserted.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; chartaceous; 2-keeled; keeled all along; keeled laterally; winged on keel; winged narrowly. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume intercarinal veins absent, or obscure; 1 in number. Lower glume surface flat. Upper glume lanceolate; 1-keeled; keeled above; winged on keel. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate; 3–5 mm long; hyaline; 2 -veined; ciliate on margins; fringed above. Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3 mm long; hyaline; without keel. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.25 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 7 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 2.5 mm long; glabrous. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.75 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 3 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Andropogoneae. Bor 1999.

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