Panicum bechuanense

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms 60–120 cm long. Leaf-sheaths hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 15–25 cm long; 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic, or oblong; 17–26 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.5–3(–3.5) mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate; 0.33 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1(–3) -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5–7 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 2–3 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: southern tropical and south.

NOTES Paniceae. FZ.

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