Eragrostis porosa

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 6–80 cm long. Culm-internodes glandular (below node). Leaf-sheaths eglandular, or glandular; glabrous on surface (rarely), or pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 4–15 cm long; 2–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate, or ovate; 8–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches whorled at lower nodes. Panicle branches bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–12 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear, or oblong; laterally compressed; 3–5 mm long; 1 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 ovate; 0.6–1.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; hyaline, or membranous; grey; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.6–1.5 mm long; 0.5–0.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline, or membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic, or obovate; 1.1–1.5 mm long; membranous; grey; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex truncate, or obtuse. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.6–0.9 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 0.5–0.6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical, east tropical, southern tropical, and south.

NOTES Eragrostideae. FTEA.

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