Sporobolus scitulus

HABIT Perennial; cushion forming. Butt sheaths papery. Culms erect; 10–22 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1–5.5 cm long; 1–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 3–6 cm long. Panicle branches glabrous in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 2–2.3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 0.4–0.7 mm long; 0.3–0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume oblong; 1.2–1.3 mm long; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; mid-green, or purple; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex erose; truncate, or obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2–2.3 mm long; membranous; mid-green, or purple; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: east tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. FTEA.

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