Toliara

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending; 15–35 cm long. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or ovate.

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

Racemes single; multilateral.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 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 exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous; without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume elliptic; 2–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; hyaline; keeled; wingless; 1 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves. Lemma apex attenuate.

FLOWER Anthers 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; laterally compressed. Embryo 0.4 length of caryopsis. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 16th November 2012.