Perotis leptopus

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 25–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 1–4 cm long; 2–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 2–10 cm long. Spikelet packing crowded; irregular.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.2 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear, or lanceolate; subterete; 2.3–3 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus oblong; 0.3–0.7 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–2.4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface hispidulous. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 20–40 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 2–2.4 mm long; 2–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein distinct. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface hispidulous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 20–40 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 0.5–1 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; isodiametric.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: east tropical, southern tropical, and south.

NOTES Cynodonteae. FTEA.

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