Schismus schismoides

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 5–15 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 3–6 cm long; 0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous to pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong, or ovate; 1–2 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 4.5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume elliptic; 3.5–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 3.5–5 mm long; 1.2–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.5–4 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy below; with a transverse fringe of hair. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.5 of lemma length; acute; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 3–4.5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 0.5–1 mm long. Palea 2.2–2.4 mm long. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; ciliate. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Arundineae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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