Harpochloa falx

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms 30–80 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 5–25 cm long; 1–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; arcuate; unilateral; 1–8 cm long. Rhachis semiterete; ciliate on margins; terminating in a barren extension; extension subulate. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets pectinate; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes lower persistent, upper deciduous; dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; similar to fertile lemma in texture; gaping. Lower glume ovate; 0.5 length of upper glume; 0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; laterally compressed; 6–9 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex emarginate. Apical sterile florets 2 in number; male and barren; in a clump; cuneate; 2–4 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; isodiametric; trigonous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Cynodonteae. WDC.

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