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Synonyms: |
Amphilophis radicans (Lehm.) Stapf Andropogon ischaemum var. radicans (Lehm.) Hack. Andropogon radicans Lehm. Dichanthium radicans (Lehm.) Clayton |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Caespitose, often stoloniferous, perennial, shrubby or decumbent and rooting at the nodes; culms up to 70 cm high, branching from the inferior nodes to form cushions; culm nodes mostly exposed and barbate, the uppermost glabrous; leaf sheaths glabrous except at the mouth, those of the basal leaves loose and open, the remainder clasping the culms; ligule membranous; leaf laminas 6–20 cm × 2–6 mm, linear-lanceolate, gradually tapering to a fine point. Inflorescence of 5–16 subdigitate racemes; main axis slender, shorter than the lowest racemes; racemes up to 70 mm long, 10–20-jointed, shortly pedunculate; rhachis internodes densely long-pilose. Sessile spikelet 2.5–4 mm long, lanceolate; inferior glume firmly membranous, slightly concave on the back and pilose in the lower half; superior glume minutely hispid along the keel, acute at the apex; inferior floret empty, the lemma c. 3 mm long, oblong-linear, ciliolate at the apex; superior floret bisexual, epaleate, the lemma c. 1.5 mm long, stipitiform, glabrous, awned; awn c. 25 mm long, geniculate; anthers c. 1.5 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet neuter; inferior glume c. 3.5 mm long, oblong, with sparse long white hairs along the lateral keels and ciliolate towards the apex; superior glume c. 3 mm long, lanceolate, delicate, ciliate on the margins; inferior lemma c. 2 mm long, oblong, obtuse at the apex. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | Growing in open bushland |
Altitude range: (metres) | 140 - 1350 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Tropical and South Africa, introduced into tropical America |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,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. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 6. Cope, T.A. (2002). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(4) Pages 44 - 45. Klaassen Esmerialda, E.S. & Craven P. (2003). Checklist of grasses in Namibia SABONET Report No. 20 Page 15. 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 100. Setshogo, M.P. (2000). Notes on the grass subtribe Sorghinae (Poaceae: Andropogoneae) in the Flora Zambesiaca area Kirkia 17(2) Page 143. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 132. 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 187. Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 85. |
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