Helictotrichon breviaristatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths pilose. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect; 90–100 cm long; 2 -noded. Leaf-sheaths without keel; smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–6 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades filiform; conduplicate, or convolute; 40–50 cm long; 1–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; nodding; 25 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; 2–3 -nate. Panicle axis pubescent. Panicle branches pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets. Rhachilla internodes pilose; with 5–6 mm long hairs. Floret callus pilose; with elliptic scar.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 16 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 18 mm long; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 15 mm long; cartilaginous; much thinner above; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma apex entire; obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5–0.6 way up back of lemma; straight; 5–6 mm long overall. Palea keels pubescent. Apical sterile florets rudimentary.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 2–2.5 mm long. Anthers 3; 5–6 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

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

DISTRIBUTION Africa: north.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Afr N 1994.

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