Panicum anabaptistum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 100–150 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–30(–40) cm long; 4–6 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 15–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches 5–10 in number; 1 -nate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 3.6–4.3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.5–0.66 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7–9 -veined; acuminate. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 2.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical, west-central tropical, and northeast tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTA.

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