Perotis scabra

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms decumbent; 30–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 1–2.5 cm long; 2–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 4–17 cm long. Spikelet packing crowded; irregular.

Spikelets ascending; 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; 3–3.5 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus oblong; 0.5–0.6 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface hispidulous; hairy in lines. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 20–35 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; 2–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein conspicuous; smooth. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface hispidulous; hairy in lines. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 20–35 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2–2.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; dorsally compressed.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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