| Synonyms: |
Brachiaria umbellata (Trin.) Clayton Panicum umbellatum Trin. |
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| Description: |
Sward forming perennial. Culms procumbent, c. 10 cm. high. Inflorescence ovate, of 4–8 closely spaced racemes, these 0.5–3 cm. long, bare at the base, bearing pedicelled spikelets singly on a slender rhachis, the pedicels c. as long as the spikelet. Spikelets 1.5–2 mm. long, glabrous, acute. Inferior glume 1/8–1/4 length of spikelet, obtuse to emarginate. Superior lemma granulose, acute. |
| Type location: |
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| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | umbellata: bearing flowers in umbels |
| Habitat: | Planted as a lawn grass and as a cover plant in tea gardens, but also occurs as an escape in forest clearings |
| Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1600 m |
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| Worldwide distribution: | Indian Ocean islands, Madagascar, introduced to southern Africa |
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| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Clayton, W.D. (1989). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(3) Pages 74 - 75. as Brachiaria umbellata Jackson, G. & Wiehe, P.O. (1958). An Annotated Check List of Nyasaland Grasses The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland Pages 68 - 69. As Panicum umbellatum 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 101. as Brachiaria umbellata Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 146. as Brachiaria umbellata |