Leptochloa cuspidata

HABIT Annual, or perennial; short-lived; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending; 20–70 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–5 mm long. Leaf-blades 2–15 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 10–15; borne along a central axis; ascending; straight; unilateral; 1.5–8 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–15 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear, or oblong; 0.2–3 mm long; scaberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–11 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.8–3.2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate; hairy all along. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; truncate; mucronate. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Launert 1993.

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