Enneapogon scaber

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 15–35 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pubescent; with capitate hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 3–20 cm long; 1–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong; 2–7 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.5–6.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 3.6–5.2 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4.5–6.5 mm long; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4.5–6.5 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface villous; inner surface transversely fringed. Lemma apex dentate; 9 -fid; awned; 9 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1.5 mm long overall; limb glabrous. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; subequal to principal; glabrous. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; oblong; 0.3–0.6 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas dentate; 9 -fid; awned; 9 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns 1–1.3 mm long; glabrous.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 1.3–2.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: north, west tropical, northeast tropical, southern tropical, and south. Asia-temperate: Arabia.

NOTES Pappophoreae. TAC.

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