Eragrostis incrassata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Stolons present. Culms 20–40 cm long. Leaves distichous. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 2–8 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide; glaucous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate, or oblong; 3–9 cm long. Primary panicle branches simple; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–16 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; 6–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate, or ovate; 2.2–2.6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate, or ovate; 2.2–2.6 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets appressed to rhachilla. Fertile lemma elliptic in profile, or ovate in profile; 2.3–2.8(–3.4) mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins distinct. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1.3–1.4 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. TAC.

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