Sporobolus testudinum

HABIT Annual, or perennial. Culms decumbent, or prostrate; 2.5–12 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.1–0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 1.5–6 cm long; 0.75 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 1–5 cm long; 0.1–0.2 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.3–1 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 0.8–1.3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0.2–0.3 mm long; 0.4–0.6 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex entire, or dentate; truncate, or acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.5 mm long; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 0–1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex entire, or dentate; truncate, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 0.8–1 mm long; membranous; without keel; 0 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Anthers 2; 0.5–0.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with free soft pericarp; ellipsoid; 0.8 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Renvoize 1997.

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