Pentameris ecklonii

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 19–37 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 4–16 cm long; 0.5–1.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 3–9.5 cm long. Rhachis subterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.4–6.1 mm long; 1–1.5 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; 4.4–6.1 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Lower glume primary vein with pectinate knobs. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 4.4–6.1 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 5–8 -veined. Upper glume primary vein with pectinate knobs. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4.4–6 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3; 3 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. WDC.

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