Suddia sagittifolia

HABIT Perennial. Cataphylls evident. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 140–300 cm long; 25 mm diam.; spongy. Culm-internodes terete. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3.5–8 mm long; scarious. Leaf-blade base sagittate; with a false petiole; petiole 16–100 cm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 22–112 cm long; 35–105 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation slanting obliquely from midrib; with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle oblong; 24–35 cm long; 4–8 cm wide. Primary panicle branches whorled at lower nodes.

Pedicels bibracteate (as obscure rims).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4.3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Spikelet callus attached transversely.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 3.5–4.3 mm long; membranous; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent; ribbed. Lemma surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lemma apex acute. Palea ovate; 3.5–4.3 mm long; membranous; 5 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 4.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical and east tropical.

NOTES Oryzeae. WDC 2006.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Floret details obscured by smut.

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