Eragrostis singuaensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect; slender; 50–60 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear, or lanceolate; 4–8 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2 -nate. Panicle branches flexuous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 4 mm long; 2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 2 mm long; membranous; dark green; keeled. Lemma apex obtuse. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis ellipsoid.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west-central tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Pilger.

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