Panicum clandestinum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms 40–100 cm long. Culm-internodes antrorsely scabrous; distally pubescent to hispid. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches fastigiate. Leaves basal and cauline; heterophyllous with a basal winter rosette. Leaf-sheaths hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs, or absent; 0–1 mm long. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blade base cordate. Leaf-blades spreading, or reflexed; lanceolate; 10–28 cm long; 10–30 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; terminal and axillary.

Panicle open; elliptic; 9–16 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; with obtuse base; dorsally compressed; subacute; 2.7–3.1 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.33 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or puberulous. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; glabrous, or puberulous; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 2.7–3.1 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

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

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Texas 1994.

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