Isachne homonyma

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Cataphylls evident. Rhizomes elongated. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms geniculately ascending; 10–25 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; pubescent; outer margin hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 1.5–3 cm long; 3–6 mm wide; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface smooth; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 1.5–4 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches ascending; 1–2 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 3–4 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; dorsally compressed; 1.25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1.5 mm long; 0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.5 mm long; 0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets alike but female above. Fertile lemma oblong; 1.75 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea chartaceous; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.25 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Isachneae. Stapf 2001.

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