Perotis arenacea

HABIT Annual; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms geniculately ascending; 15–35 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3–0.4 mm long; scaberulous on abaxial surface. Leaf-blade base amplexicaul. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or ovate; 0.8–4 cm long; 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins ciliate. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 4–20 cm long; 1–1.6 mm wide. Spikelet packing irregular.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.2–0.3 mm long; tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 1.3–1.8 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus base obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 1.3–1.8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume elliptic; 1.3–1.8 mm long; 2–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein conspicuous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 0.5–0.9 mm long; hyaline; keeled; lightly keeled; 1 -veined. Lemma apex attenuate.

FLOWER Anthers 2; 0.3–0.4 mm long; orange.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; laterally compressed; 1.3–1.4 mm long. Embryo 0.4 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Judz. 2011.

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