Capeochloa arundinacea

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths glabrous. Culms reed-like; 100–120 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades convolute; 30–60 cm long; 4–7 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate, or ovate; 15–25 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising (2–)3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; (10–)13.5–16.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 10–15 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume surface puberulous. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–15 mm long; 1.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 6–8 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; without hair tufts. Lemma hairs white. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.33 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 9–13 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 2–3 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy; glabrous. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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