Leersia oncothrix

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes absent, or elongated. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 30–85(–170) cm long; 2–4 -noded; without nodal roots, or rooting from lower nodes. Culm-nodes pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2.3–6(–9) mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate, or involute; 5–25(–33) cm long; 2–3.6 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic, or oblong; 10–28 cm long; 1.5–3 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading; 8–12 cm long; bearing 3–7(–9) fertile spikelets on each lower branch; naked below.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.5–1 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 3.5–4(–4.25) mm long; (1.5–)1.7–2 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma 3.5–4(–4.25) mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliolate (semicircular hairs). Lemma surface pubescent; with semicircular hairs. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea elliptic; 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 3 -veined; 1-keeled. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface pubescent; with hooked hairs (semicircular). Palea apex entire.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 6; 2.5 mm long. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: southern tropical.

NOTES Oryzeae. FZ.

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