Eragrostis laevissima

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes absent, or short. Culms 40–80 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-internodes glandular. Leaf-sheaths eglandular, or glandular. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades conduplicate, or convolute; 7–15 cm long; 1–2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 6–18 cm long; 2–3 cm wide; contracted about secondary branches.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; laterally compressed; 2–3 mm long; 1.3–2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.7–1 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.2–1.5 mm long; 0.75–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.5 mm long; membranous; grey; glandular on veins; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma apex acute. Palea keels approximate; scaberulous and tuberculate (glandular); eciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.6–1.2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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