Tragus koelerioides

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Stolons present. Culms 12–65 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 1–5 cm long; 2–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous; spinulose. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; borne along a central axis; closely spaced; in a multilateral false spike; spreading; oblong; 0.4–0.5 cm long; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 2–5 fertile spikelets on each. Central inflorescence axis 4–8 cm long. Rhachis evident; deciduous from axis; subterete; terminating in a barren extension; extension bristle-like; extension 1–1.5 mm long. Raceme-bases brief; 0.2–0.5 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 3.5–4.8 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure, or two; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0–1 mm long; 0–0.2 length of upper glume; hyaline; 0 -veined. Upper glume ovate; 3.5–4.8 mm long; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins thickened; ribbed. Upper glume surface spinose; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3–4 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1.8–2.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: southern tropical and south.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Chippindall 1992.

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