Cynodon coursii

HABIT Perennial; mat forming. Rhizomes elongated. Stolons present. Culms decumbent; 15–50 cm long. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; striately veined; glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades 2.5–4 cm long; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–6; digitate; erect; unilateral; 4.5–6 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 2.5–2.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 0.75–1 length of upper glume; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.6–2 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; laterally compressed; 2.5–2.8 mm long; cartilaginous; keeled; 1 -veined. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Camus 2007.

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