Trichopteryx

HABIT Annual (2), or perennial (3). Rhizomes absent (4), or short (1). Culms erect (3), or geniculately ascending (3), or decumbent (1), or prostrate (2); 2–38.1–100 cm long; firm (2), or wiry (3), or woody (1). Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades linear (2), or lanceolate (4), or ovate (2). Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous (1/1).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2.5–4.2–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pilose; truncate (1), or obtuse (4).

GLUMES Glumes persistent; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate (1), or ovate (4); 0.5–0.581–0.75 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface without pits; glabrous (4), or puberulous (1), or pubescent (3), or setose (4). Lower glume apex acute (4), or acuminate (1). Upper glume ovate; chartaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous (4), or puberulous (1), or pubescent (3), or setose (4); with simple hairs (1), or tubercle-based hairs (4). Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male (1), or barren (4); with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate, or elliptic, or oblong, or ovate; chartaceous; 3 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; chartaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined. Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; glabrous (2), or pubescent (3), or pilose (1); with a transverse row of hair tufts. Lemma margins involute; interlocking with palea keels. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate. Lateral lemma awns shorter than principal. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels approximate.

FLOWER Anthers 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform (1/1). Hilum linear (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa.

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