Panicum coloratum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Cataphylls inconspicuous, or evident. Culms erect, or decumbent; 15–100 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent (rarely). Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose, or hispid. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base simple, or broadly rounded, or cordate. Leaf-blades (3–)12–30 cm long; (2–)5–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose. Leaf-blade apex acute, or acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 4–30(–40) cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending, or spreading.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; obtuse, or acute, or acuminate; 2–3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.25–0.33 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1(–3) -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -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; 7–9 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 1.5–2.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: north, west tropical, west-central tropical, northeast tropical, east tropical, southern tropical, south, and middle Atlantic ocean. Asia-temperate: Arabia. Asia-tropical: India and Papuasia. Australasia: Australia. Pacific: southwestern and north-central. North America: south-central USA.

NOTES Paniceae. FTEA.

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