Sacciolepis ciliocincta

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 20–45 cm long; spongy; 5–6 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 8–20 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface papillose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; tapering below; 2–3 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.

STERILE SPIKELETS Basal sterile spikelets rudimentary.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; gibbous; 2.5–3.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 0.5–0.6 length of spikelet; membranous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins unequally thickened (midvein thickened). Lower glume surface pubescent; hairy above. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; gibbous; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; much thinner above; fenestrate (at base); 15 -veined; ribbed; with a transverse fringe of hair; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 2 mm long; coriaceous; pallid; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; coriaceous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 1.3 mm long. Embryo 0.5–0.6 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical, west-central tropical, and northeast tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTA.

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