Eragrostis barbinodis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Stolons present. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 50–100 cm long; without nodal roots, or rooting from lower nodes. Culm-nodes bearded. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 10–15 cm long; 2–6 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 5–10 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear, or oblong; laterally compressed; 4–7 mm long; 1.2–1.5 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 0.75–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets appressed to rhachilla. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.5–2 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex acute. Palea keels scaberulous; eciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.8–1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: southern tropical and south.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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