Hubbardochloa gracilis

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect, or decumbent; (4–)8–12(–17) cm long; 0.1–0.3 mm diam.; (2–)3–5 -noded. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.25 mm long. Leaf-blades (0.6–)1–1.5 cm long; (1–)2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins ciliate; hairy at base. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle obovate; 2.5–3 cm long; 2.5–3.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches whorled at lower nodes. Panicle branches capillary; flexuous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels angular; 1–1.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 1.2–1.4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 0.9–1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex erose; obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 0.7–0.8(–1) mm long; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex truncate; awned. Principal lemma awn flexuous; 3.5–6(–7.5) mm long overall. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3; 0.3–0.4 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; isodiametric; biconvex; exposed between gaping lemma and palea at maturity; 0.9–1 mm long; dark brown. Embryo 0.25 length of caryopsis. Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west-central tropical and southern tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC.

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