Panicum auritum

HABIT Perennial. Culms robust; 100–200 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base cordate. Leaf-blades 20–60 cm long; 7–35 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open, or contracted; lanceolate; 30–35 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches 2–8 cm long; bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches secund.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; acute; 2–2.6 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.25–0.33 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.2 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 2; 1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China. Asia-tropical: India, Indo-China, Malesia, and Papuasia.

NOTES Paniceae. Gilliland.

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