Panicum beecheyi

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or puberulous. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.7–1.8 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 10–18 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or puberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 10–18 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle axis scabrous. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 2.4–3.4 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume surface pilose. Lower glume hairs 1.2–2.5 mm long. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Upper glume surface villous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; glabrous; acute. Palea of lower sterile floret 0.25 length of lemma. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1.7–1.9 mm long; indurate; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1–1.3 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Pacific: north-central.

NOTES Paniceae. Wagner 1993.

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