Tribolium obtusifolium

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms 10–25 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; 10–20 cm long; 1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; oblong; 2–3 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–4 mm long; 1.5–2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; similar to fertile lemma in texture. Lower glume ovate; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–4 mm long; 1–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma margins ciliate; hairy below. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with tardily free pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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