Pentameris obtusifolia

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 20–50 cm long; woody. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths tight; 7 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades convolute; 50–150 cm long; 2–4 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 70–130 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 20–26 mm long; 5–10 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; 18–25 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins distinct. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 18–25 mm long; 2.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins distinct. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 7–9 mm long; membranous; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.5 of lemma length; acuminate; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 15–18 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on inner edge of lobes; 5–7 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; ciliate.

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.