Decaryochloa diadelpha

HABIT Perennial. Culms scandent; woody. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement many; in a clump; thinner than stem. Culm-sheaths hispid; with dark brown hairs; auriculate; setose on shoulders. Culm-sheath blade triangular. Leaf-sheath oral hairs setose. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Collar with external ligule. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath; petiole pilose. Leaf-blades oblong; 7–9 cm long; 12–18 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation without cross veins. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; scanty; with spathaceous subtending bracts; without axillary buds at base of spikelet; with ultimate bract subtending a compact bracteolate fascicle of spikelets.

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension, or with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 45–50 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes several; 2–4 empty glumes; persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Upper glume elliptic; 30–35 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 17–21 -veined. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 45–50 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 17 -veined. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea lanceolate; tightly convolute around flower; 1 length of lemma; coriaceous; 12 -veined. Palea keels approximate. Palea apex acuminate. Rhachilla extension 0.5 length of fertile floret; pubescent.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 6; 16–20 mm long. Filaments united in groups (2 groups). Stigmas 3. Ovary umbonate; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Bambuseae. Camus.

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