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| Synonyms: |
Cynodon ternatus A. Rich. Panicum phaeocarpum var. gracile Nees Panicum ternatum (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Steud. |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
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| Description: |
An annual with loosely caespitose or solitary culms. Culms 20–60 cm., erect, glabrous or rarely loosely hairy, nodes dark and glabrous. Leaf sheaths glabrous. Ligule 1–1.5 mm. long, rounded. Leaf laminae 2–20 × 0.1–0.5 cm., linear, flat, glabrous to loosely hairy on both sides, scabrous along the often crisped margin. Inflorescence composed of 2–5 racemes, (5)8–12(15) cm. long, solitary along a short common axis. Rhachis triquetrous, broadly winged, 0.5–1 mm. broad, smooth with smooth or scabrous margins. Pedicels 3-nate, 0.5–2 mm. long, terete to compressed, scabrous, conspicuously broadened at the apex, bearing a well developed coronula of large, broad hairs up to 0.8 mm. long. Spikelets 1.9–2.6 mm. long, oblong. Inferior glume absent. Superior glume c. 2/3 of the spikelet, oblong, 3-nerved, hyaline, appressed hairy, hairs white, capitate-apiculate. Inferior lemma as long as the spikelet, oblong with recurved margins, 5-nerved, hyaline, appressed hairy. Superior lemma as long as the spikelet, oblong, acute, pale to dark brown |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | |
| Habitat: | Weed of arable land, disturbed sites. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
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| Worldwide distribution: | Tropical and South Africa, extending eastwards to China and Indonesia |
| Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E |
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| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 342. Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 21. Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 13. Clayton, W.D. (1989). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(3) Pages 142 - 144. (Includes a picture). Jackson, G. & Wiehe, P.O. (1958). An Annotated Check List of Nyasaland Grasses The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland Page 36. 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 102. |
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