Eragrostis tridentata

HABIT Annual. Culms 6–18 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 2–3 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; shorter than basal leaves; embraced at base by subtending leaf (2–3 leaves).

Panicle capitate; globose; 0.5–1 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; laterally compressed; 2.2–4.2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas (?). Rhachilla internodes eventually visible between lemmas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.1–1.7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.1–1.7 mm long; 0.7–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets divergent. Fertile lemma oblong in profile; 1.6–1.8 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins distinct; excurrent. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels tuberculate; pectinate (hairs 0.5mm). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 2; 0.2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. TAC.

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