Compilation
Tricholaena rhodesiana

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Name

Identification
Tricholaena rhodesiana Rendle [family POACEAE ] Rhynchelytrum rhodesianum (Rendle) Stapf & C.E.Hubb. [family POACEAE ] Melinis nerviglumis (Franch.) Zizka [family POACEAE ] (stored under name);
Related name
  • Tricholaena rhodesiana
  • Rhynchelytrum rhodesianum
  • Rhynchelytrum nerviglume
  • Melinis nerviglumis

Flora

Entry for Melinis nerviglumis Franchet Zizka [family GRAMINEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora Zambesiaca
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
FZ, Vol 10, Part 3, (1989) Author: W. D. Clayton
Names
Tricholaena setifolia Stapf [family GRAMINEAE], in Fl. Cap. 7: 442 (1899). Type from S. Africa.
Melinis setifolia Stapf Hackel [family GRAMINEAE], in Öst. Bot. Zeitschr. 51: 464 (1901). Type as above.
Panicum busseanum Mez [family GRAMINEAE], in Bot. Jahrb. 34: 131 (1904). Type from Tanzania.
Panicum elongatum Mez [family GRAMINEAE], in Bot. Jahrb. 34: 132 (1904). Type from Zaire.
Tricholaena rhodesiana Rendle [family GRAMINEAE], in Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot. 40: 232 (1911). Types: Zimbabwe, Chirinda Forest, Swynnerton 1632 (K, isosyntype); Nyahodi R., Swynnerton 1663 (BM, syntype).
Tricholaena rhodesiana var. glabrescens Rendle [family GRAMINEAE], in Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot. 40: 233 (1911). Type: Zimbabwe, Northern Chimanimani (Melsetter), Swynnerton 1685 (BM, holotype).
Rhynchelytrum nerviglume Franchet Chiov. [family GRAMINEAE], in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. n.s. 26: 78 (1919). — Jackson & Wiehe, Annot. Check List Nyasal. Grass.: 55 (1958). — Clayton & Renvoize in F.T.E.A., Gramineae: 514 (1982). Type as above for Tricholaena nerviglumis.
Melinis bachmannii Mez [family GRAMINEAE], in Bot. Jahrb. 57: 198 (1921). Type from S. Africa.
Melinis munzneri Mez [family GRAMINEAE], in Bot. Jahrb. 57: 198 (1921). Type from Tanzania.
Melinis nyassana Mez [family GRAMINEAE], in Bot. Jahrb. 57: 199 (1921). Type from Tanzania.
Melinis villosipes Mez [family GRAMINEAE], in Bot. Jahrb. 57: b199 (1921). Types from Tanzania and Malawi, Buchanan 244 (B, syntype).
Rhynchelytrum nyassanum Mez Stapf & Hubbard [family GRAMINEAE], in F.T.A. 9: 892 (1930). — Sturgeon in Rhod. Agric. Journ. 50:110 (1953). — Chippindall in Meredith, Grasses & Pastures of S. Afr.: 433 (1955). — Jackson & Wiehe, Annot. Check List Nyasal. Grass.: 55 (1958). — Launert in Merxm., Prodr. Fl. SW. Afr. 160: 161 (1970). Type as for Melinis nyassana.
Rhynchelytrum ramosum Stapf & Hubbard [family GRAMINEAE], in F.T.A. 9: 895 (1930). — Chippindall in Meredith, Grasses & Pastures of S. Afr.: 433 (1955). Type from Angola.
Rhynchelytrum stuposum Stapf & Hubbard [family GRAMINEAE], in F.T.A. 9: 897 (1930). Type: Malawi, Mt. Malosa, Whyte (K, holotype).
Rhynchelytrum setifolium Stapf Chiov. [family GRAMINEAE], in Ann. Ist. Bot. Roma. 8: 310 (1907). — Stapf & Hubbard in F.T.A. 9: 898 (1930). — Sturgeon in Rhod. Agric. Journ. 50: 110 (1953). — Chippindall in Meredith, Grasses & Pastures of S. Afr.: 432 (1955). Type as for Tricholaena setifolia.
Melinis nerviglumis Franchet Zizka [family GRAMINEAE], in Bibl. Bot. 138: 111(1988). Type from Congo.
Tricholaena nerviglumis Franchet [family GRAMINEAE], in Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Autun. 8: 357 (1895). Type as above.
Tricholaena busseana Mez Peter [family GRAMINEAE], in Fl. Deutsch Ost-Afr. 40: 219 (1931). Type as for Panicum busseanum.
Rhynchelytrum rhodesianum Rendle Stapf & Hubbard [family GRAMINEAE], in F.T.A. 9: 895 (1930). — Sturgeon in Rhod. Agric. Journ. 50: 109 (1953). Type as for Tricholaena rhodesiana.
Information
Densely caespitose perennial. Culms (25)40–120(150) cm. high, erect. Leaf laminae (3)10–30(44) cm. long, (1.3)2–3.5(4.5) mm. wide, often involute and setaceous. Panicle (5)8–25(31) cm. long, oblong or narrowly ovate. Spikelets (3.2)3.6–5(5.7) mm. long, narrowly ovate. Inferior glume (0.3)0.5–1 (1.9) mm. long, 0–1-nerved, ovate, inserted close to the superior; superior glume 5–(rarely 7-)nerved, membranous to weakly coriaceous, straight on the back, usually hairy, emarginate, awned or mucronate. Inferior floret male, its lemma 5-nerved, equalling the superior glume, the palea ciliate on its keels.
Habitat
Grassland and Brachystegia woodland
Range
from Gabon to Kenya and southwards to S. Africa (Cape)
Altitude range
(200)1000–3000 m.
3000
1000
Distribution
Caprivi Strip Andara, Kukakamo Rocks, 15.i.1956, De Winter & Wiss 4265 (M).Botswana SE Lobatsi, 1920, Sandwith 138 (K).Zambia B Mwinilunga Distr., Matonchi dambo, 26.x.1937, Milne-Redhead 2969 (B; BR).Zimbabwe W Matobo, xi.1957, Miller 4804 (BR; LISC).Malawi N Mzimba Distr., 5 km. W. of Mzuzu, 15.vii.1973, Pawek 7196 (K).Mozambique N Lichinga, 15.xii.1934, Torre 233 (LISC).Zambia N Luwingu,Chisinga Ranch, 4.xii.1961, Astle 1057(B).Zambia W Ndola, 1933, Duff 98 (K).Zambia C 8 km. W. of Serenje, 16.xii.1967, Simon & Williamson 1405 (K).Zambia S Namwala, 1311962, Mitchell 12/61 (LISC).Zimbabwe C Rusape, 28.x.1972, Crook 1057 (B; BR; LISC; M).Zimbabwe E Gazaland, Chirinda, 7.xi.1906, Swynnerton 1632 (K).Malawi C Lilongwe, Dzalanyama, 4.xii.1951, Jackson 617 (BR).Malawi S Mulanje Mts., Litchenya Plateau, 8.vi.1967, Robinson 5316 (BR; K).Mozambique Z Gúruè, 30.ix., Torre 3550 (LISC).Mozambique MS Baruè, 9.xii.1965, Torre & Correia 13481 (LISC).Mozambique M Namaacha, 9.xii.1947, Torre 7081 (LISC).
Distribution (external)
Madagascar
Thailand
Vietnam
Notes
The species has a remarkable disjunct occurrence in SE. Asia. It is very variable, the spikelets ranging from glabrous to villous at the same locality. It can be recognised by its densely caespitose habit and the narrow, often involute and setaceous, leaf-blades. Separation from M. repens may sometimes be difficult but the shape of the superior glume and the lemma of the inferior floret, as well as the narrowly ovate panicle, provide additional characters.

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