Helictotrichon angustum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–90 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform, or linear; 8–25 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; interrupted; nodding; 7–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1–1.5 mm long; pilose; hairy above. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; 0.6–0.8 length of upper glume; herbaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 1(–3) -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 6–8 mm long; 0.9–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; much thinner above; with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 6–7 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; rough above (with white prickles). Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; acute, or setaceously attenuate; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.66–0.8 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 9–16 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 1–3 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea keels ciliolate. Rhachilla extension 0.75 length of fertile floret; pilose.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2.5–3.5 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: east tropical.

NOTES Aveneae. FTEA.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Rhachilla hairs shorter than itself.

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