Perotis acanthoneuron

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base amplexicaul. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or ovate; 2–3.5 cm long; 4–7 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade apex acute; pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 12–17 cm long.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear, or lanceolate; subterete; 5.5–7.6 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus linear; 2–2.3 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.6–5.2 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein spinulose. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough in lines. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 10–20 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.6–5.2 mm long; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein depressed; spinulose. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough in lines. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 10–20 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; flattened.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Cope 1997.

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