Microchloa ensifolia

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 12–15 cm long. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths loose; 0.3–0.4 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate; tapering towards tip; 1–2 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 5–8 cm long. Rhachis semiterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 1 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; compressed slightly; 3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; parallel to lemmas. Lower glume elliptic; 3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 3.5 mm long; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3 mm long; hyaline; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: southern tropical.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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