Perotis pilosa

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 25–50 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base amplexicaul. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 1–4.5 cm long; 2–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 7–9 cm long.

Spikelets spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear, or lanceolate; subterete; 2.5–2.9 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus linear; 0.4–0.6 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.1–2.3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface pilose. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 3–4 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.1–2.3 mm long; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein depressed; scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 3–4 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: east tropical.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Cope 1997.

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