Pentameris pholiuroides

HABIT Annual. Culms 5–30 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades convolute; 1–4 cm long; 0.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 1.5–5 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume oblong; 4.5–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 5–8 -veined. Lower glume primary vein smooth, or tuberculate. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 4.5–7 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 5–8 -veined. Upper glume primary vein smooth, or tuberculate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4–6.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate. Rhachilla extension 0.1 length of fertile floret.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. WDC.

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