Sweet-scented annuals or perennials, often stoloniferous. Ligules membranous. Inflorescence a dense spike-like panicle. Spikelets solitary, pedicelled, moderately laterally compressed, usually 3-flowered (rarely less), awned; rhachilla disarticulating above the superior glume, not produced beyond the uppermost floret. Glumes 2, unequal, persistent, keeled, membranous, 1-3-nerved with the nerves usually prominent, apex acute to acuminate. The first and second lemmas similar and almost equal, membranous, narrowly oblong in profile, strongly laterally compressed, keeled, densely pilose, 2-fid to deeply 2-lobed, awned; the awns usually unequal, that of the first lemma usually short and inserted 1/3-1/2-way below the apex, usually straight; that of the second lemma as long as or longer than its body, inserted near the base or sometimes around the middle, geniculate. Terminal lemma muticous, much shorter than (1/3-1/2) the preceding ones, expanded broadly elliptic or ovate-elliptic, obtusely 2-keeled, thinly membranous. Ovary glabrous; styles distinct, long; stigmas long, rather slender, plumose, exserted from the apex.
Worldwide: Species 20, in southern and tropical Africa.
Malawi: 1 taxon. |
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