Tricholaena capensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms decumbent; (20–)30–60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.6–1.1 mm long. Leaf-blades flat; (1.8–)4–11 cm long; 2–4 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; (4–)6–12 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2–3 mm long; with hairs extending 0.1–0.5 mm beyond apex; falling entire; readily shedding fertile florets. Rhachilla internodes elongated between glumes.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate; 0.1–1.6(–2) mm long; 0.05–0.5 length of spikelet; hyaline; without keels; 0–1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface glabrous, or pilose. Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; (3–)5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pilose. Upper glume apex emarginate, or truncate; mucronate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5(–7) -veined; glabrous, or pilose; emarginate, or truncate; mucronate. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1.5–2.5 mm long; cartilaginous; pallid; shiny; without keel; 3–5 -veined. Lemma margins flat. Lemma apex acute. Palea cartilaginous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas terminally exserted.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Paniceae. Zizka.

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