Polypogon tenuis

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 7–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 1–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or lanceolate; 10–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 1.5–1.8 mm long; falling entire; deciduous from the base. Spikelet callus square; base obtuse. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets, or exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume oblong; 1.5–1.8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 10–25 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 1.5–1.8 mm long; 1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 10–25 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.5 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.33 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 5–10 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south and middle Atlantic ocean.

NOTES Aveneae. Chippindall.

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