Microcalamus barbinodis

HABIT Perennial. Cataphylls evident. Culms decumbent; 15–60 cm long; wiry. Leaves cauline; 1–6 per branch. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Collar bearded. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or ovate; 20–55 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate, or ovate; 2.5–25 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches simple; bearing 1–6 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle branches glabrous, or pubescent.

Spikelets solitary, or in pairs, or in threes. Fertile spikelets pedicelled; 1–3 in the cluster; subequal.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 6–8 mm long; falling entire. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2–2.5 mm long; 0.3 length of spikelet; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 2.5–4 mm long; 0.4–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male, or barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 0.9 length of fertile lemma; 0.9 length of spikelet; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 7 -veined; acuminate. Fertile lemma lanceolate; laterally compressed; 6–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy below. Lemma margins involute; ciliolate. Lemma apex acute; with a little green crest. Palea coriaceous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west-central tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTA.

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