Trichoneura eleusinoides

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 11–25 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2–4.5 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–3 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 5–9 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 0.8–1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 1.6–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2–3 mm long; membranous; keeled; lightly keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 0.5–1 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: southern tropical and south.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Chippindall 1992.

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