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Synonyms: |
Eragrostis atrovirens sensu Sturgeon, sensu Chippindall, non (Desf.) Steud. Eragrostis friesii sensu B.K. Simon, non Pilg. Eragrostis galpinii Stent Eragrostis gangetica sensu Stent & J.M. Rattray, non (Roxb.) Steud. Eragrostis sp. (Simon & Williamson 2035) of Simon |
Common names: | Tite grass (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Caespitose perennial with short oblique rhizome; culms slender, up to 100 cm tall, erect, unbranched, glabrous at the nodes, eglandular; basal leaf sheaths glabrous, chartaceous, usually compressed, eglandular, persistent; ligule a line of hairs; leaf laminas 4–25 cm × 2–4 mm, linear, usually involute, glabrous, eglandular.Panicle 7–25 cm long, broadly ovate, loose to moderately dense, the spikelets evenly distributed on pedicels 2–4 mm long, the primary branches not in whorls, terminating in a fertile spikelet, glabrous in the axils, eglandular.Spikelets 5–20 × 2–3(3.5) mm, narrowly oblong, laterally compressed, 9–40-flowered, the florets disarticulating from below upwards, the rhachilla persistent; glumes subequal, 1.2–2 mm long, reaching to between 2/3 and 3/4 the way along the adjacent lemmas, keeled, lanceolate in profile, glabrous, acute at the apex; lemmas 1.7–2.5 mm long, keeled, ovate in profile, membranous with distinct lateral nerves, diverging from the rhachilla at c. 45°, those in opposite rows not imbricate, the rhachilla visible between them, greyish-green to dark green, minutely asperulous, acute or subacute at the apex; palea deciduous with or soon after the lemma, glabrous on the flanks, the keels slender, wingless, scaberulous; anthers 3, 0.7–1 mm long.Caryopsis 0.7–1 mm long, narrowly elliptic. |
Notes: | Perennial tufted grass, growing from rhizomes. The inflorescence is typically an open panicle of purple spikelets (green when young) with sharply pointed tips. The spikelets are often curved. |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | In wet places, such as vlei margins and road side seepage areas. |
Altitude range: | Up to 1570 m |
Flowering time: | Nov - May |
Worldwide distribution: | Tropical Africa southwards to South Africa |
Malawi distribution: | C,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 24. Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 15. Cope, T.A. (1999). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(2) Page 113. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 494. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 104. Poilecot, P. (2007). Eragrostis species of Zimbabwe Éditions Quae,Versailles, France Pages 138 - 139. (Includes a picture). Roodt, V. (2015). Grasses & Grazers of Botswana and the surrounding savanna Struik Nature, South Africa Pages 114 - 115. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 137. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 189. |
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