Helictotrichon leoninum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with fibrous dead sheaths. Culms 15–50 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades 4–10 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blade apex hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 6–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–5 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1.5–2 mm long; glabrous. Floret callus 1 mm long; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 5.5–7 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7.5–9 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 8–10 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface papillose. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 20–22 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 7–9 mm long. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 4–5 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

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

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Aveneae. Schweickerdt 1993.

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