Sacciolepis viguieri

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 40–100 cm long. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths reticulately veined. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–1.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 5–16 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex antrorsely scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; continuous, or interrupted; 5–20 cm long; 0.4–0.5 cm wide. 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; symmetrical (almost); 2–2.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.5 length of spikelet; hyaline; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -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; oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; ribbed; obtuse. Fertile lemma ovate; dorsally compressed; 1.5 mm long; coriaceous; light brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; coriaceous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Madag 1997.

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