Description :

• Perennial, rhizomatous and stoloniferous, decumbent, mat-forming, rooting at nodes
• Leaf blade linear, expanded, tapering to an obtuse apex; sheaths chartaceous; ligule a fringed membrane, minutely fimbriate
• Inflorescence rigid, oblong, of a number of short, dense, 1-sided, spike-like racemes, appressed, arranged alternately on central axis; rachis branches and pedicels triangular in cross section; spikelets solitary, pedicelled, lower glume adaxial to rachis
• Spikelet 3.5-4.5 mm long, dorsiventrally compressed, disarticulating above glumes; glumes unequal, dissimilar, glabrous, awnless; lower glume lanceolate to narrowly ovate, subhyaline, nerveless, apex obtuse, truncate or emarginate; upper glume lanceolate, subcoriaceous, 1-nerved, slightly keeled towards apex, apex obtuse, as long as spikelet
• Floret 1, bisexual; lemma subcoriaceous, narrowly lanceolate-oblong, entire, acute, not keeled, 3-nerved, lateral nerves hairy on lower half, very small mucro present, awnless; callus short, obtuse, shortly hairy; palea narrowly oblong-elliptic, 2-keeled, subhyaline, subcoriaceous, apex truncate, margins hairy on lower half
• Lodicules 2, free, small, truncate
• Stamens 3
• Ovary oblong; styles distinct, plumose

Nomenclature:

• Polevansia De Winter
  • De Winter: 130 (1966)
  • Clayton & Renvoize: 240 (1986)
  • Gibbs Russell et al.: 274 (1990)
  • Watson & Dallwitz: 763 (1994)

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa : Species 1: Polevansia rigida De Winter, Lesotho to bordering Eastern Cape