Helictotrichon quinquesetum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 50–70 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths smooth; puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long; lacerate; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 12–15 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 12–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2–5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 3.5–4.5 mm long; pilose; hairy all along; with 3–4 mm long hairs. Floret callus 1.25 mm long; pilose. Floret callus hairs 1.5 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 8–11 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–13 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins prominent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 18 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins ribbed. Lemma surface granulose. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 20–28 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 8–10 mm long. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 5 mm long. Palea 9 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2.5 mm long. Ovary pubescent all over.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy all over. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Aveneae. Schweickerdt 1993.

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