Cynodon transvaalensis

HABIT Perennial; mat forming. Rhizomes elongated. Stolons present. Culms prostrate; 4–15 cm long; 0.2–0.4 mm diam. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.1–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 1–4 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1–3(–4); digitate; unilateral; 0.7–1.5 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 2.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; subequal in width; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.25–0.33 length of adjacent fertile lemma; herbaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate, or ovate; laterally compressed; 2.5 mm long; membranous, or cartilaginous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein eciliate, or ciliate. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels eciliate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: north, west-central tropical, northeast tropical, east tropical, southern tropical, south, and western Indian ocean. Asia-temperate: western Asia. Australasia: Australia. North America: north-central USA and southwest USA. South America: western South America.

NOTES Cynodonteae. FTEA.

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