Leersia drepanothrix

HABIT Annual, or perennial. Rhizomes absent, or elongated. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 50–100 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2.4–3 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 5–30 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 8–19 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; naked below.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 2–2.5 mm long; 1.2–1.3 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma 2–2.5 mm long; chartaceous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliolate (semicircular hairs). Lemma surface pubescent; with semicircular hairs. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea elliptic; 1 length of lemma; chartaceous; 3 -veined; 1-keeled. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface pubescent; with hooked hairs (semicircular). Palea apex entire.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 6. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical, west-central tropical, northeast tropical, and east tropical.

NOTES Oryzeae. FTEA.

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