Dinebra perrieri

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 30–80 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long. Leaf-blades 12–15 cm long; 5–8 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–20; borne along a central axis; deflexed, or spreading; unilateral; 5–18 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 10–40 cm long. Rhachis persistent. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.5–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–5 mm long; 1.5–2.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2 mm long; membranous; keeled; lightly keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent; hairy below. Lemma lateral veins close to margins. Lemma margins pubescent; hairy below. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Eragrostideae. WDC.

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