Eragrostis sabulicola

HABIT Perennial. Culms 25–40 cm long. Lateral branches fastigiate. Leaves distichous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 10–20 cm long; 3–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 10–15 cm long; 2–3 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–15 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–10 mm long; 2 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; rhachilla persistent; retaining paleas.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile florets divergent; free at tip. Fertile lemma ovate; 2 mm long; membranous; dark green; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west-central tropical.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl Gabon 1997.

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