Lepturus humbertianus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Stolons present. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–45 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Culm-internodes smooth; distally glabrous. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blade base without a false petiole, or with a false petiole (lower leaves). Leaf-blades 6–15 cm long; 3–6 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; smoothly terete; bilateral; 4–6 cm long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; subcylindrical and excavated; glabrous on surface; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial; regular; 2 -rowed. Rhachis internodes oblong; 4–5.5 mm long. Rhachis internode tip oblique; flat.

Spikelets sunken; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; 3.5–5.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure (but terminal spikelet with 2 glumes 7–8mm long); exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Upper glume oblong; 3.5–5.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 9 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3–4 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; linear; 1 mm long.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Leptureae. Bosser 1999.

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