Pentameris dentata

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 3–43 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1.5–10.5 cm long; 0.5–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 0.5–7.5 cm long.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled, or sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3.2–5.2 mm long; 1–1.2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; asymmetrical; 3.2–5.2 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Lower glume primary vein with pectinate knobs. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 3.2–5.2 mm long; 1.1–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; with membranous margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein with pectinate knobs. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.5–4.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate. Palea surface pubescent.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. WDC.

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