Eragrostis glandulosipedata

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 40–100 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Culm-internodes glandular. Leaf-sheaths glandular; glabrous on surface, or pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 3–5.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong, or ovate; 6–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches whorled at lower nodes. Panicle branches multilateral, or secund.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; 1.5–2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas; fragile above; with the distal florets disarticulating separately.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong, or ovate; 1.5–1.7 mm long; membranous; dark green, or grey; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma surface scaberulous. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea keels scabrous; eciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.7–1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 0.6–0.9 mm long; pallid, or light brown. Embryo 0.5 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

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.