Perotis vaginata

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms decumbent; 12–40 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 1–4 cm long; 1.5–6 mm wide.

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

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 3–15 cm long. Spikelet packing crowded; irregular.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.1–0.2 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear, or lanceolate; subterete; 4.7–7 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus linear; 0.7–1.5 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–5.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface glabrous, or hispidulous. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 13–25 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5.5 mm long; 2–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein conspicuous; scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface glabrous, or hispidulous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 13–25 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-central tropical, east tropical, southern tropical, and south.

NOTES Cynodonteae. FTEA.

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