Sporobolus dinklagei

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 60–120 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 15–25 cm long; 3–7 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 20–40 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches ascending (incurved); distant (their own length apart); whorled at most nodes (10–20 whorls); 1–2 cm long; bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches glabrous in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.3–0.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 2–2.2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume elliptic; 1 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; 2–2.2 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; red; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2–2.2 mm long; membranous; red; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Anthers 2; 0.8 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; ellipsoid; laterally compressed; 1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC.

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