Sacciolepis catumbensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short; knotty. Culms 15–70 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 5–12 cm long; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; interrupted; 2–5 cm long. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with lateral stumps on axis. Panicle axis with rounded ribs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; gibbous; 3–4.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.66 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume ovate; gibbous; 1 length of spikelet; chartaceous; without keels; 9 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male, or barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; chartaceous; 9 -veined; ribbed; obtuse. Palea of lower sterile floret 0.5 length of lemma. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 2–2.5 mm long; coriaceous; pallid; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; coriaceous.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: southern tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FZ.

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