Panicum boscii

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 40–70 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Culm-nodes bearded. Lateral branches ample; arising from mid culm. Leaves heterophyllous with a basal winter rosette. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule absent. Leaf-blade base cordate. Leaf-blades spreading; lanceolate; 7–12 cm long; 15–30 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins tuberculate-ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 6–12 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 4–4.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.33–0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface pilose. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. 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; 7 -veined; pilose; with tubercle-based hairs; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 4–4.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: north-central USA, northeast USA, south-central USA, and southeast USA.

NOTES Paniceae. Man US Gr 1997.

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