Pseudozoysia sessilis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 8–15 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades convolute; 1.5–2.5 cm long; 2–2.7 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes numerous; borne along a central axis; closely spaced; in a multilateral false spike; oblong; 2.5 cm long; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 2 fertile spikelets on each. Central inflorescence axis 1.3–5 cm long. Rhachis obsolete; deciduous from axis.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2 in the cluster; heteromorphic; the upper smaller.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.5 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; 1 length of spikelet; indurate; without keels. Lower glume surface muricate; rough on flanks. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; gibbous; 2.5 mm long; indurate; without keels. Upper glume surface tuberculate; rough above. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 0.5 length of lemma; hyaline. Palea keels ciliolate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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