Panicum cayoense

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 105 cm long. Culm-internodes distally hirsute. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 10–16 cm long; 15–21 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; ovate; 21 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending. Panicle branches stiff; scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.3–2.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.25 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute; ciliate. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate. Palea surface villous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Paniceae. Swallen 1995.

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