Pentameris longiglumis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm. Culms 120–170 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths loose; 12 cm long; pubescent. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades curled; filiform; convolute; 20–55 cm long; 2–4 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; globose; 17–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 16–25 mm long; 8–10 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent; obtuse; disarticulating obliquely.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 15–25 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 15–25 mm long; 2.5–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 6–8 mm long; membranous; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 1.5–3 mm long; incised 0.5 of lemma length; acuminate; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 20–25 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on inner edge of lobes; 5–8 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea oblong; 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back and on flanks.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. Chippindall.

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