Sacciolepis cymbiandra

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–100 cm long; spongy. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 2–15 cm long; 3–6 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 20–40 cm long. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with lateral stumps on axis. Panicle axis with rounded ribs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; gibbous; 2.2–2.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; gibbous; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; gibbous; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; with thickened veins (on bulge); acuminate. Palea of lower sterile floret 1 length of lemma. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 1.75 mm long; coriaceous; pallid; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; coriaceous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTA.

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