Sporobolus somalensis

HABIT Perennial; cushion forming. Stolons present. Culms prostrate; 6–30 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 0.5–8 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; stiff; glaucous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 2–9 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; 1.7–2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 0.5–1.2 mm long; 0.7 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex erose; truncate. Upper glume oblong; 0.7–1.7 mm long; 0.5–0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.7–2 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex erose; truncate. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1–1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC.

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