Isachne angolensis

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms decumbent, or prostrate; 20–40 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–10 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 4–15 cm long; 1.5–4 cm wide; contracted about primary branches.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 0.5–1.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1.5–2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes suppressed between florets.

GLUMES Glumes deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1.2–1.8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 0.8–0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume surface puberulous; hairy above (tip). Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 1.2–1.8 mm long; membranous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile florets all alike. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.5–2 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid; 0.5 mm long; dark brown.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical, west-central tropical, and southern tropical.

NOTES Isachneae. FTA.

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