Garnotia sechellensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms geniculately ascending; robust; 100–170 cm long. Culm-nodes bearded. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–35 cm long; 10–22 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 15–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches 5–10 cm long; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus glabrous; base obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate; muticous. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate; muticous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 5–6 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins involute; interlocking with palea keels. Lemma apex entire; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 1–2 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea with auriculate flaps; 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous; 2 -veined. Palea keels winged (below); narrowly winged.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Arundinelleae. Gould.

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