Bewsia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 40–90 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; unilateral. Rhachis subterete. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5.5–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus evident; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.9–1 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; membranous; keeled; wingless; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex emarginate, or obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea surface pubescent. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear, or oblong; isodiametric; biconvex.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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