Leptaspis

Perennial rhizomatous herbs with large broad dark green leaves, with typical slanting venation, borne on a twisted (180 degrees) pseudopetiole. Inflorescence a loose panicle with female spiklets in a group at the base and males terminal on the branchlets. Spikelets 1-flowered, unisexual. Male spikelets less conspicuous than female with 2 small, membranous, ovate glumes and a lemma similar to the glumes. Female spikelets with 2 short glumes; lemma with connate margins, utricle-like, inflated, prominently ribbed, covered with hooked hairs and (in ours) white. Stigmas 3. Caryopsis oblong, flattened.An extraordinary-looking plant which is not particularly grass-like at first glance.

Leptaspis is a genus of Paleotropical plants in the grass family, native to Africa, southern Asia, northern Australia, and a few islands of the western Pacific.

Species Leptaspis angustifolia Summerh. & C.E.Hubb. - New Guinea, Fiji Leptaspis banksii R.Br. - Queensland, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Philippines, Taiwan, Sulawesi, Malaysia, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Thailand Leptaspis zeylanica Nees ex Steud. - tropical Africa from Liberia to Ethiopia to Zimbabwe; Madagascar, Comoros, Sri Lanka, Java, Malaysia, Sumatra, Sulawesi, New Guinea, Solomon Islands Formerly included

see Scrotochloa

Leptaspis manillensis - Scrotochloa urceolata Leptaspis tararaensis - Scrotochloa tararaensis Leptaspis urceolata - Scrotochloa urceolata