Neostapfiella perrieri

HABIT Annual. Stolons present. Basal innovations flabellate. Culms 15–30 cm long. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths keeled. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 1.2–4.5 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–4; digitate; unilateral; 3–7 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 4.5–5.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1–1.5 mm long; pilose; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; laterally compressed; lanceolate in profile; 3.2–3.5 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 9–14 mm long overall.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; lanceolate; trigonous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Pat Mag.

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