Melinis welwitschii

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; slender; 50–60 cm long; wiry. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–5 cm long; 3–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent, or pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; dense; 6–7.5 cm long; 2–2.2 cm wide. Panicle branches pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels ciliate; hairy all along but hairs longer above.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; symmetrical; 3.2–3.6 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume oblong; not gibbous; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume apex lobed; 2 -fid; obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 5–7.5 mm long.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; (5–)7 -veined; glabrous; ciliolate on margins; lobed; 2 -fid; obtuse; muticous. Palea of lower sterile floret smooth. Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 2 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins flat. Lemma apex truncate. Palea 1 length of lemma; cartilaginous; without keels.

FLOWER Stigmas laterally exserted.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: southern tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTA.

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