Pogonarthria leiarthra

HABIT Annual; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms erect; robust; 25–80 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 7–20 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; borne along a central axis; ascending, or spreading; unilateral; 1–3 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 15–30 cm long. Rhachis deciduous from axis; angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.8–1.6 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 5–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent; hairy at tip.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.1–3.2 mm long; 0.6–0.7 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.2–4.8 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile florets decreasing in size upwards. Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3.2–4.4 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scaberulous. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2 mm long overall. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Launert.

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