Pentameris pusilla

HABIT Annual. Culms 5–25 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1–5 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide; flaccid.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle, or comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 1–2 fertile spikelets.

Panicle open; elliptic; effuse; 1–5 cm long. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 2–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets, or reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 2–3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume elliptic; 2–3 mm long; 1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–2.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. WDC.

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