Eragrostis ambositrensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms geniculately ascending; 40–50 cm long; 5–6 -noded. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades convolute; 3–6 cm long. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 12–17 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1 -nate; 7 cm long. Panicle axis glabrous. Panicle branches capillary; flexuous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 15–20 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 26–30 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; straight, or curved; laterally compressed; 12–17 mm long; 3–4 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; shedding paleas. Rhachilla internodes obscured by lemmas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.8–2.2 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.8–2.2 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 1.7–2 mm long. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Camus 2007.

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