Eragrostis aristiglumis

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–70 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 12–28 cm long; with spikelets clumped along branches. Primary panicle branches simple; 1–10 cm long. Panicle branches bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile (subtended by bristles).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising (4–)6–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; laterally compressed; 2.2–3.2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 2.6–3(–3.6) mm long. Upper glume ovate; 1.5 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 2.6–3(–3.6) mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1.4 mm long; membranous; dark brown; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex truncate; mucronate. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.8–0.9 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 0.6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: east tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. FTEA.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Palea hairs 0.3mm.

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