Perotis hildebrandtii

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms decumbent; 15–50 cm long; wiry. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 1–7 cm long; 1.5–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; multilateral; 2–20 cm long. Spikelet packing lax; irregular.

Spikelets spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.2 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear, or lanceolate; subterete; 3–4.5 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus linear; 0.5–1 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface puberulous, or hispidulous. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 5–15 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 2–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein conspicuous; depressed; spinulose. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface puberulous, or hispidulous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 5–15 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 1–1.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 1 -veined. Lemma apex acute. Palea hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; flattened.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical, northeast tropical, east tropical, and western Indian ocean.

NOTES Cynodonteae. FTEA.

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