Eragrostis mandrarensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 60 cm long; 5–6 -noded. Leaf-sheaths striately veined; glabrous on surface. Ligule absent. Leaf-blades erect; convolute; 6–16 cm long.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 12–35 cm long; 2.5–6 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 1–2 -nate. Panicle branches flexuous; scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 4–10 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3 mm long; 1 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.6 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.5–1.7 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea 0.8–1 mm long. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged; scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 0.8 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Camus 2007.

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