Description :

• Perennial, densely tufted, cushion-like
• Leaf blade folded, narrow, blunt at apex, basal leaf sheaths densely woolly, splitting into fibres when old; ligule a fringed, usually firm, membrane
• Inflorescence a solitary, rarely paired, terminal, 1-sided (secund) spike; rachis convex on back with membranous margins, spikelets densely packed and often at right angles to tough, narrow rachis; spikelets solitary, sessile
• Spikelet disarticulating between glumes; glumes ± equal, longer than spikelet, dissimilar, 1-nerved, awnless; lower glume obliquely compressed, 1-keeled; upper glume dorsally compressed
• Florets 2; lower floret bisexual; upper floret male or sterile; lower lemma similar in texture to glumes, keeled, 3-nerved, densely hairy on keel and margins, rarely glabrous, shortly 2-lobed, awnless; palea glabrous, 2-keeled, hyaline; upper lemma slightly shorter and glabrous, palea reduced or 0
• Lodicules 2, sometimes 0
• Stamens 3
• Ovary obovoid; styles plumose
• Caryopsis ellipsoid to broadly trigonous

Nomenclature:

• Rendlia Chiov.
  • Chiovenda: 53 (1914)
  • Stapf: 637 (1900) under Microchloa R.Br.
  • Chippindall: 193 (1955)
  • Pilger: 90 (1956)
  • Renvoize: 329 (1974)
  • Clayton & Renvoize: 241(1986) included in Microchloa R.Br.
  • Gibbs Russell et al.: 281 (1990)
  • Watson & Dallwitz: 817 (1994)

Distribution & Notes:

• Global : Species 1: Rendlia altera (Rendle) Chiov., Africa
• Southern Africa : High eastern regions