Pentameris swartbergensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–56 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface; outer margin glabrous. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades conduplicate, or convolute; 10–23 cm long; 1–3 mm wide; coriaceous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 22–56 fertile spikelets.

Panicle open; ovate; 8–9 cm long; 2–3.5 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 11.5–13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 11.5–13 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 11.5–13 mm long; membranous. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4.2–4.5 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lobes 1.4–1.5 mm long; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 8.5–10 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 3 mm long. Lateral lemma awns arising on inner edge of lobes; 2.5–3.5 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea 4.5–5 mm long; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; ciliate. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free brittle pericarp; fusiform; 2–2.4 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. Barker 2002.

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