Agrostis tsitondroinensis

HABIT Annual. Culms 2.5 mm diam.; 4 -noded. Culm-internodes ridged; smooth; distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths striately veined; smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–4 mm long. Leaf-blades 12–16 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 20–25 cm long; 12–13 cm wide. Primary panicle branches spreading; 5–6 -nate; whorled at lower nodes. Panicle axis with lower internodes 5 cm long; smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2–3 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4.5–4.7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 4.5–4.7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4.5–4.7 mm long; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.5–3 mm long; hyaline; without keel. Lemma lateral veins extending close to apex. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 4–5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea hyaline.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Aveneae. Camus 2007.

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