Eragrostis mueruensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 90–120 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 30–60 cm long; 2–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 14–18 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending; 1–3 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–11 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 5–8 mm long; 3–5 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–4 mm long; 0.8–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5–4 mm long; cartilaginous; yellow; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins distinct. Lemma apex acute. Palea keels smooth. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: east tropical and southern tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. FTEA.

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