Leersia tisserantii

HABIT Annual, or perennial; short-lived; caespitose. Rhizomes absent, or elongated. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 15–60 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2.6 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 3–18 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 8–19 cm long. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 4–5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma 4–5 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma surface glabrous, or hispidulous. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1–7.5 mm long overall. Palea elliptic; 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 3 -veined; 1-keeled. Palea keels ciliate. Palea apex entire; awned; awns 1.5–2.5 mm long.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 6. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical, west-central tropical, east tropical, southern tropical, and south.

NOTES Oryzeae. FTEA.

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