Eragrostis elatior

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 25–50 cm long. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaves cauline. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 10–20 cm long; 2–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 5–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; simple.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–11 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear, or oblong; laterally compressed; 5–8 mm long; 2–2.5 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; cartilaginous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; cartilaginous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5–3 mm long; membranous; dark green; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins distinct. Lemma apex acute. Palea keels approximate; thickened; scaberulous; eciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.6–1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid, or oblong; 1–1.3 mm long. Embryo 0.4 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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