Decaryella madagascariensis

HABIT Annual. Culms decumbent; 10–30 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 1.5–3.5 cm long.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 4–12 cm long.

Spikelets spreading, or ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform, or linear; 1.5–5 mm long; pubescent; tip widened.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1(–2) fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 6–8.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with the pedicel; pedicel base pungent.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 6–8.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface hispidulous. Lower glume apex awned (stiffly); 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 3–7 mm long. Upper glume ovate; 6–8.5 mm long; 3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex acute; awned (stiffly); 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 3–7 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2.2–3 mm long; membranous; without keel; 1–3 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse, or acute.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Pat Mad.

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