GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora

Descriptions

W.D. Clayton, M. Vorontsova, K.T. Harman & H. Williamson

© Copyright The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Capeochloa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (2), or short (1). Culms erect (1/1); reed-like (2/2); 73–115.5–200 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades aciculate (1), or linear (2); herbaceous (2), or coriaceous (1); stiff (1), or firm (2). Leaf-blade apex muticous (2), or pungent (1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets (1), or 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong (1), or cuneate (2); laterally compressed; 10–13.65–16.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite. Floret callus evident; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet (1), or exceeding apex of florets (2); thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent (1), or distinct (2). Lower glume surface without pits; glabrous (2), or puberulous (1). Lower glume apex acute (1), or acuminate (1), or attenuate (2). Upper glume lanceolate; 0.9–1.383–1.7 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous (2), or puberulous (1). Upper glume apex acute (1), or acuminate (1), or attenuate (2).

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 9 -veined (2/2). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (2), or pubescent (1); without hair tufts (1), or with marginal hair tufts (1), or with a transverse row of hair tufts (1). Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.2–0.3433–0.5 of lemma length; awned; 1 -awned (1), or 3 -awned (2). Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate. Palea keels eciliate (1), or ciliolate (2). Palea surface glabrous (1), or pubescent (1), or pilose (1). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy; glabrous (2), or ciliate (1). Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous (1/1).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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