Panicum claytonii

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short; knotty. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; (15–)40–75 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base cordate, or amplexicaul. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 4–11.5 cm long; 5–16 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 3–10 cm long. Primary panicle branches simple; bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches pilose; with clavellate hairs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 3–15 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 2.5–5.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.33–0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9 -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; 9 -veined; acute. Palea of lower sterile floret pilose. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 3.5–5.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west-central tropical, east tropical, and southern tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTEA.

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