Triraphis andropogonoides

HABIT Perennial. Rootstock evident. Rhizomes elongated. Butt sheaths dark brown. Culms 40–120 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 20–40 cm long; 2–6 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; dense; 12–30 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–15 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; dissimilar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex dentate; 2 -fid.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 3.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 2 mm long overall. Lateral lemma awns arising on margin of lemma; ascending; 1.5 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1.2–2.3 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear; trigonous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Chippindall 1992.

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