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Urelytrum agropyroides Hack. Hack. [family GRAMINEAE]

Date Updated: 26 July 2007

Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora Zambesiaca
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
FZ, Vol 10, Part 4, (2002) Author: T. A. Cope
Names
Urelytrum agropyroides Hack. Hack. [family GRAMINEAE], in A. & C. de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 6: 272 (1889). —Stapf in Prain, F.T.A. 9: 45 (1917). —Clayton & Renvoize in F.T.E.A., Gramineae: 833 (1982). —Gibbs Russell et al., Grasses South. Africa [Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa No. 58]: 349 (1990). Type from Angola. Rottboellia agropyroides Hack. [family GRAMINEAE], in Bol. Soc. Brot. 3: 135 (1885). Urelytrum squarrosum var. robustum Stapf [family GRAMINEAE], in Dyer, F.C. 7: 331 (1898). —Chippindall, loc. cit. Type from South Africa. Urelytrum spp. [family GRAMINEAE], sensu Simon in Kirkia 8: 53 (1971). Urelytrum squarrosum Hack. [family GRAMINEAE], in A. & C. de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 6: 272 (1889). —Stapf in Prain, F.T.A. 9: 43 (1917). —Sturgeon in Rhodesia Agric. J. 51 142 (1954). —Chippindall in Meredith, Grasses & Pastures S. Africa: 516 (1955). —Simon in Kirkia 8: 20, 53 (1971). Type from South Africa.
Information
Caespitose perennial forming hard tussocks; culms up to 200 cm high. Leaf sheaths usually glabrous above; ligule (2)3–6 mm long, usually conspicuous, acute, lacerate, often adnate to lateral auricles; leaf laminas 10–40 cm × 1–6 mm, narrow, harsh. Inflorescence of 1(2) racemes each 8–25 cm long; rhachis internodes and pedicels often pubescent. Sessile spikelet narrowly elliptic; inferior glume 6–9 mm long, glabrous or pubescent, smooth, spinulose or muricate on the keels, acute at the apex. Pedicelled spikelet 2–7 mm long, with an awn (1)3–7(12) cm long.
Habitat
Growing in open and wooded grassland, and in regenerating Brachystegia woodland
Range
Tanzania southwards to South Africa
Altitude range
20–1400 m. 1400 20
Distribution
Zambia N Samfya Distr., Kalasa Mukoso Flats, Masenga Causeway, south of Katumba, 1200 m, 22.ii.1996, Renvoize 5657 (K).Zambia C c. 32 km north of Lusaka on the Ngwerere–Chisamba road, 14.iii.1956, Hinds 310 (K; SRGH).Zimbabwe C Seke Distr., Mexico road at 83 km post south of Harare, 1 km east of main highway, 1370 m, 15.ii.1974, Davidse, Simon & Pope 6680 (K; PRE).Zimbabwe E Nyanga Distr., Juliasdale, c. 1950 m, 23.i.1973, Biegel 4159 (K).Zimbabwe S Masvingo Distr., Makaholi Experimental Station, 10.iii.1978, Senderayi 150 (K; PRE).Mozambique MS Cheringoma Distr., 10 km south of Sengo, 20 m, 16.xii.1971, Müller & Pope 2057 (K; LISC).Mozambique M Matutuíne Distr., Matutuíne (Bela Vista), para Porto Henrique, 30.x.1960, de Koning & Nuvunga 8555 (K).Caprivi Strip near Andara Mission Station, 23.ii.1956, de Winter & Marais 4819 (K; PRE).Botswana N near Movombi (Movombe) Village, 18º07’S, 23º11’E, 14.ii.1983, P.A. Smith 4036 (K).Zambia B Mongu Boma, 26.iii.1964, Verboom 1345 (K; SRGH).Zimbabwe W Insiza Distr., Shangani, Main Road A5, near turnoff to Shangani Station, 1400 m, 28.xi.1974, Crook 2041 (K; PRE).Malawi N Mzimba Distr., Kasitu Valley, 1100 m, 30.i.1938, Fenner 239 (K).Mozambique N Muecate Distr., andados 30 km de Imala para Mecubúri (Mocuburi), c. 450 m, 16.i.1964, Torre & Paiva 10009 (K; LISC).Botswana SE Morapedi Ranch, 25º38’S, 25º03’E, 1100 m, 29.iii.1978, Hansen 3394 (K; PRE).
Distribution (external)
Ghana Madagascar
Notes
A variable species with little constancy in many characters. The long pointed ligule and long awns on solitary or paired racemes are the most reliable characters. Ornamentation of the inferior glume of the sessile spikelet, and indumentum of spikelets and leaf sheaths are less so.
Urelytrum agropyroides Hack. Hack. [family GRAMINEAE]
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