Polypogon polypogonoides

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–75 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 6–12 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate, or elliptic; 10–16 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform, or linear; 0.5–2 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with the pedicel. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 1–3 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 2–2.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1–3 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 3 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 1 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear. Endosperm farinose.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Aveneae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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