Pentameris capillaris

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Glands raised crateriform. Culms 8–40 cm long; 3–5 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths hirsute; with simple hairs, or tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-sheath oral hairs bearded. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 5 cm long; 5 mm wide; flaccid; glandular. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous; glabrous, or ciliate. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 100–300 fertile spikelets.

Panicle open; ovate; 4–10 cm long; 3–8 cm wide. Panicle branches bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 1 length of fertile spikelet; glandular; smooth.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume elliptic; 3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous; rough generally. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume elliptic; 3 mm long; 1.6–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous; rough generally. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1.5–2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5–9 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex entire; truncate; muticous.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy; glabrous. Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long; brown.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. Linder.

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