Panicum fellianum

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 70–130 cm long; 7 -noded. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; keeled. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 3.5–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins smooth.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–22 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches spreading; 3–6 cm long; bearing 20–35 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary, or in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels terete; 0.1–4 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; 1.5 mm wide; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes elongated between glumes.

GLUMES Glumes thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1–1.5 mm long; 0.25–0.4 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 6–7 -veined. Upper glume apex laterally pinched.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret lanceolate; 3.5 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; laterally pinched at apex. Palea of lower sterile floret 0.66 length of lemma. Fertile lemma lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 3.5 mm long; membranous; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins flat. Lemma apex acute. Palea gaping.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Paniceae. Simon 1993.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.